One of the most common New Year’s Eve traditions in Spain is to eat 12 grapes on New Year’s Eve to the beat of the clock counting down the new year. Where did it come from? It is important that each grape goes into the mouth at each new strike of the chimes. It can sometimes be very difficult to keep to this time frame, especially if you are surrounded by a crowd of laughing friends and relatives at the festive table or in the square. To make life easier for Spaniards, special sets of 12 neat little grapes in a small box, which is very convenient to hold in your hand wherever you are.
The ritual of eating 12 grapes under the chimes originated in Madrid’s Puerta del Sol square and is linked to the working class revolt against the tax imposed in 1882 by Madrid Mayor José Abascal y Carredano. In December, he decided to impose a tax of 5 pesetas on those who decided to organise festivities on the eve of Epiphany. It is known that in order to stage the arrival in the city of the three biblical wise men – Melchior, Gaspar and Balthasar, the Spaniards organised noisy cavalcades, street performances and costumed processions. In the mayor’s opinion, the tax could help restore order to the streets of Madrid.
The working class did not like this decision, of course, and in retaliation they decided to organise their own triple celebration in front of the then City Hall. Everyone brought 12 grapes with them and ate one of them at the chimes. In this way the Spaniards expressed their indignation at having their right to celebrate the holiday as they pleased taken away from them, as only the wealthy could pay the tax. Eating grapes was in their eyes a mockery of the dining habits of the bourgeoisie and an expression of total disrespect for the rich and their way of life.
Since then, the white grape variety called Aledo has become synonymous with good luck, success and, of course, New Year’s Eve, becoming a New Year’s Eve staple in every home in Spain and Valencia! Small bags with sorted 12 grapes became the main New Year’s attribute of the holiday, and this tradition is still alive today! According to the Spanish worldview, grapes are a symbol of abundance, brotherhood, unity, joy and pleasure.
According to tradition, 12 grapes symbolise the 12 months of the year, and each of the grapes eaten is associated with success and good luck, which will accompany a person in the corresponding month.