Can grapes bring good luck? The Spanish believe so, and at midnight on New Year’s Eve there is a race across the country to devour 12 grapes before the first minute of the year has passed.

The 12 grapes, representing the months of the year, must be eaten individually before the clock changes to 12:01 p.m. If the grapes are consumed, it means that good luck will be at your side all year round.

Where does the tradition of eating 12 grapes come from?

The origins of the “uvas de la suerte” tradition are difficult to understand. The idea may have originated in the early 20th century among winemakers in Alicante, Spain, who wanted to unload a surplus, Atlas Obscura reported. Grapes are an inexpensive crop that usually performs well, and there are often surpluses so the fruit can be harvested cheaply.

Or it could have been the Madrid bourgeoisie copying the French tradition of drinking grapes and champagne on the last day of the year, NPR reported. But the story goes that Madrid residents wanted to rebel against class differences and decided to mock the aristocrats by going to Puerta del Sol to eat grapes accompanied by the sound of bells.

Whatever the beginnings, the tradition has spread like wildfire in Spain. Supermarket chains such as Mercadona and Super Sol promote and sell “uvas de la suerte” throughout Spain.

Mercadona, one of Spain’s largest grocery chains, promoted four ways to buy grapes for the occasion. Natural grapes with seeds from Alicante add a fun twist to the 12 Grapes tradition. The seeds provide a “crunchy note,” according to the supermarket. Consumers can also purchase seedless grapes or prepackaged grapes, “specially selected and packaged with the exact amount needed for each chime.”

Pre-packaged grapes allow celebrants to open the grapes at the exact moment the clock changes and not have to worry about counting or peeling grapes in the middle of the excitement of the celebration.

Grapes can also be brought peeled and pitted in a can. These grapes are among the most popular among Spaniards due to their convenience, the supermarket said.

What are the exact rules for the New Year’s grape tradition?

Regardless of how the grapes are purchased, they are consumed at midnight Nochevieja is the key to celebration in Spain. Revelers must eat the grapes before the clock strikes 12:01 a.m., and if they are fully consumed, according to tradition, good fortune will be with them throughout the year.

Spaniards often choose green grapes for this tradition.

Where did the idea of ​​eating grapes under the table come from?

Eating grapes under a table isn’t part of Spain’s original tradition, but it could be a 21st century twist that’s spreading on social media. TikTok users posted on social media saying they would eat 12 grapes – either red or green – under a table, hoping that singles who eat the grapes under a table on New Year’s Day will soon fall in love.

User @annadstoddard posted that she was lucky in love after eating grapes under a table. The footage shows her putting a twisted napkin ring on her partner’s finger.

TikTok user @helenguillen – now @helengmorales – posted in 2022 that she ate grapes under the table on New Year’s Eve and then got engaged. In the video she presents her engagement ring.