Tradition has it that on New Year’s Eve in Spain and the Canary Islands, twelve ‘lucky grapes’ known as ‘Uvas de la Suerte’ grapes have to be eaten around the stroke of midnight. It is important to eat one grape at a time with each stroke of the clock and, of course, washed down with liquid refreshment, usually a lively Spanish bubbly wine called Cava. It is believed that this tradition came from ancient wine growers; well, after all it does fuel the sale of grapes on New Year’s Eve doesn't it?
This fine tradition, as with a number of so-called traditions, has a number of flaws. Without appearing too cynical about the whole business of grape swallowing, I have witnessed several unfortunate incidents concerning the hasty swallowing of grapes since I have lived in Spain and I repeat these as a warning for this and future New Year’s celebrations. Most importantly, grapes grown in the Canary Islands are of the seeded variety. The process of hastily swallowing twelve grapes in twelve seconds may be perfectly acceptable with the unseeded variety, but what exactly do you do with the pips in the seeded type when you are in polite company and do not wish to swallow them?
My Mum used to warn me about swallowing grape seeds with the threat that I may get an immediate attack of appendicitis and would have to be whisked to the casualty department of the nearest hospital for an immediate operation. It is strange how memories from childhood are triggered by small events in later life. According to Mum, this pip swallowing may lead to an acute case of peritonitis and if you were really unlucky you would be dead before the end of New Year’s Day. Yes, Mum was a little inclined to exaggeration when it came to matters medical. All that inconvenience for a grape pip. Is it really worth all the trouble?
I recall one unfortunate occasion at a New Year’s party that I attended in the Costa Blanca, an elderly lady swallowed a pip which ‘went down the wrong way’. It started as a cough, gentle at first and then becoming increasing violent. She was given a glass of wine and later a glass of water to ease the problem. Her coughing became increasing troublesome and I really did not like the shade of pink that she was turning, as a few helpful people thumped her vigorously on the back to dislodge the offending item. Sadly it was to no avail until one helpful gentleman, who claimed to be a first aider, wrapped his arms around her chest from behind and gave her a sudden squeeze. The old lady moaned, and not with pleasure, as her false teeth shot across the room. The offending pip had been dislodged and the party continued with the old lady later leading the Hokey Cokey.
So have a wonderful New Year’s Eve and remember the old adage, ‘It is always safer to spit than swallow.’ A Happy New Year to you all!
About the author: Barrie Mahoney was a teacher, head teacher and school inspector in the UK, as well as a reporter in Spain, before moving to the Canary Islands as a newspaper editor. He is still enjoying life in the sun as a writer and author.
If you enjoyed this article, take a look at Barrie’s websites: www.barriemahoney.com and www.thecanaryislander.com or read his latest novel, ‘Journeys and Jigsaws’ (ISBN: 9781843865384).
© Barrie Mahoney
