From seafood in Spain to grapes in Portugal to lentils in Italy, the New Year is welcomed with distinctive culinary traditions in different parts of the world. Spain, for instance, has a unique custom where people eat a dozen grapes, with each one signifying good luck for the months ahead. This tradition, which started in 1909, is known as the ‘Twelve Grapes of Luck’.
In Italy, a cultural tradition dating back to Roman times is to consume lentils on New Year’s Day. Believed to bring good fortune and wealth due to their coin-like appearance, lentils are often cooked in a stew or soup and served as the first meal of the new year. Similarly, in Portugal, people prefer to stick to fruits, particularly grapes, as the primary component of their New Year’s food lineup. Consuming 12 grapes at the stroke of midnight, each representing a month of the year, with the hope of securing 12 months of prosperity is the tradition.
Heading east, Japan’s Osechi Ryori is a collection of symbolic foods served in stacked boxes, each dish portending good luck or longevity. This tradition is often enjoyed with family and friends on New Year’s Day. In contrast, in Denmark, a long-standing tradition is to smash plates against the doors of friends and neighbour’s houses. The act is perceived to bring good luck to the house residents by warding off evil spirits.
Meanwhile, in Latin America, a collective New Year’s Eve tradition involves consuming 12 grapes at midnight, much like Spain and Portugal. However, some also include a modern twist, where an extra 13th grape is eaten, representing a wish for love in the New Year. Certain Latin countries have the custom of carrying empty suitcases around their house or block, hoping to bring prosperous travel opportunities in the coming year.
The myriad of diverse food traditions on New Year’s Day around the globe shows that the hope for prosperity, luck, health, and love is a universal sentiment, akin to the celebrations themselves.
Last modified: January 1, 2025
