The tradition of eating twelve grapes at midnight on New Year's Eve is a popular custom in Spain, known as "Las doce uvas de la suerte" or "The twelve grapes of luck." According to legend, this tradition started in the early 20th century and is shrouded in a blend of historical events and folklore.
The story goes that in 1909, vine growers in the Alicante region of Spain found themselves with an unusually large grape harvest. To resolve the surplus, they ingeniously marketed these grapes as a way to celebrate the New Year, suggesting that eating twelve grapes at the stroke of midnight would bring good luck for each month of the coming year. This marketing ploy coincided with the existing tradition of the Spanish upper class, who would drink champagne and eat grapes on New Year’s Eve.
The custom quickly caught on and spread throughout Spain. It became a nationwide tradition, with people eagerly awaiting the stroke of midnight to quickly eat a grape with each bell toll. The challenge is to finish all twelve grapes before the last stroke of midnight. Successfully doing so is said to ensure luck and happiness for the coming year.
The tradition is so ingrained in Spanish culture that it's broadcasted live on national television, with families and friends gathering around their TVs or in public squares to participate in this festive ritual together. The grapes are usually prepared in advance, peeled and seeded for easier consumption.