JAKARTA - In recent years, eating grapes under the table on New Year's Eve has become a trend on social media. Twelve grapes are eaten under the table, exactly one minute before the new year.
Quoting from Vogue, on Friday, December 12, 2025, the tradition of eating grapes on New Year's Eve is a Spanish tradition that is still believed by many today. This tradition is called "Las doce uvas de la suerte," which means "the 12 lucky grapes," and is eaten with the aim of bringing good luck in the new year.
Dr. Daniel Compora, a professor at the University of Toledo, Ohio, United States, explained that the 12 grapes represent wishes for the next 12 months.
The grapes must be eaten exactly at midnight, within 12 seconds of the chimes. If they are eaten later, the wish will not come true.
"Grapes must be eaten every midnight," said Daniel.
This tradition originated in Spain in the late 1800s. At that time, farmers in Alicante were facing a bumper grape harvest, and to boost sales, they introduced the custom of eating 12 grapes on New Year's Eve.
However, the tradition's popularity grew in 1909, after merchants from Alicante and Murcia distributed grapes at the Puerta del Sol in Madrid. Over time, this grape-eating tradition has remained an important part of New Year's celebrations in Spain and spread to Latin America.
Now, the grape-eating tradition has become increasingly popular, even going viral on social media, especially TikTok. Many people do it for fun and to follow trends, especially in the hope of finding a partner in the new year.
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