The tradition of eating grapes on New Year’s Eve has become widely popular in Spain, with supermarket chains like Mercadona and Super Sol actively promoting and selling “uvas de la suerte” (lucky grapes) across the country. Mercadona, one of Spain’s major grocery chains, has introduced various options for purchasing grapes for this tradition. They offer natural bunch grapes with seeds from Alicante, which they claim add a fun element to the tradition of eating 12 grapes at midnight. The seeds reportedly provide a crunchy texture that enhances the experience. Additionally, consumers can opt for seedless grapes or prepackaged grapes that are carefully selected and packaged in the exact quantity required for each stroke of the clock.
The prepackaged grapes are particularly convenient for revelers as they eliminate the need to count or peel grapes amidst the excitement of the New Year’s Eve celebration. For those seeking further convenience, grapes that are already peeled and pitted in a can are available and are noted as being highly popular among Spaniards.
The key rule of the New Year’s grape tradition in Spain is to consume the grapes at midnight on Nochevieja, the Spanish term for New Year’s Eve, before the clock strikes 12:01 a.m. It is believed that by eating the grapes in their entirety, good luck will accompany individuals throughout the coming year. While there are different grape varieties available, green grapes are commonly chosen for this tradition.
The concept of eating grapes under a table, although not part of the original Spanish tradition, has emerged as a modern twist possibly originating from social media trends. Users on platforms like TikTok have shared videos of themselves eating 12 grapes, either red or green, under a table on New Year’s Eve, with the belief that doing so may lead to finding love in the near future. Posts from TikTok users such as @annadstoddard and @helengmorales have showcased experiences where eating grapes under a table allegedly resulted in positive romantic outcomes, including finding love and getting engaged. These anecdotal instances have contributed to the spread of this unconventional practice associated with the New Year’s grape tradition.
Overall, the tradition of eating grapes at midnight on New Year’s Eve in Spain continues to be a significant and cherished ritual, with variations and modern interpretations adding new layers of meaning and excitement to the celebratory occasion.
