Everywhere on the planet, people are saying goodbye to the old year and welcoming the new one in a fantastic manner. But, among all the fascinating customs, one from Spain has become the focus of the spotlight, and that is: including 12 grapes in the New Year’s midnight feast. The tradition, called las doce uvas de la suerte (the twelve lucky grapes) consists of eating a grape for each month of the coming year. It is said that grapes are consumed as the very symbols of good fortune, easy and prosperous life, and the realization of one’s desires.

The ritual can be traced back to Spain in the early 1900s when grape farmers in Madrid were promoting their surplus harvest during New Year festivities. Gradually, the practice gained acceptance and was adopted by people in Colombia and even among some urbanites in India. Additionally, Modern Family ¬ characters like Sofia Vergara have been a big part of the trend decently.

In Spain, the tradition requires the people to eat 12 grapes before the midnight chimes with every grape signifying a month and a wish for good fortune, happiness, and blessings. In order to help the customers perform the ritual in the last 60 seconds of the year Spanish retailers are selling ready-to-eat grape tins that are already peeled and seeded for the customers.

The 12 grapes ritual has thus become a potent and lasting emblem of hope, celebration, and cultural tradition that is observed in every corner of the world where New Year’s Eve is celebrated, not only in Madrid but also in other major cities around the globe.