New Years Food Traditions from Different Countries

The New Year is one of the times of the year most widely celebrated in the world. For many, the start of the year symbolizes a new beginning, fresh hope, and a rebirth of determination and perseverance. These feelings are, however, expressed differently in different countries. Japan, Jamaica, Mexico, and Greece all celebrate the New Year with their own unique food traditions.

JAPAN

The New Year in Japan is welcomed with the eating of freshly made buckwheat noodles called toshikoshi soba. These noodles are supposed to represent long life and good health. They are usually eaten from just before midnight on New Year's Eve into New Year's Day.

On New Year's Day, most families eat traditional Japanese food named osechi-ryouri, consisting of boiled roots, vegetables and rice. It is usually often been prepared (or more recently, bought) from the day before and eaten at room temperature with hot soup made from soy bean paste called miso-shiro. Nowadays, some families add freshly prepared shrimp or chicken to this meal as the traditional food is not very appealing to many young people. Like the Thanksgiving dinner in the U.S., the same meal is usually eaten for a number of days after the start of the year until it's completely finished. Sake with flecks of real gold is also drunk for good luck and prosperity. More information can be found at : www.japanesefood.about.com

JAMAICA

In Jamaica, the New Year is celebrated with New Year Eve parties that range from stage shows to formal balls. The food eaten includes traditional Jamaican celebratory foods such as curried goat meat, soup made from a ram goat's head called manish water, and rice cooked with red beans. These foods are representative of prosperity in the new year to which most Jamaicans look forward.

Christians in Jamaica attend church on New Year's Eve night for what is called Watch Night. They usually start very late (about 10p.m.) and continue worshipping until after midnight. Church members usually bring homemade baked goods and drinks for all to partake of during this special service. The belief is that their prayers will make the Lord watch other them and the country in the new year. For more jamaican customs and traditions visit: www.getjamaica.com

MEXICO

In Mexico, it is customary to eat 12 grapes at the stroke of midnight to each ring of the nearest church bell. One wish is made with as each grape is eaten. The grapes are said to symbolize good luck. There are many Mexican New Years traditions and foods that can be found at www.mexicoinsmallbytes.com

GREECE

New Year's in Greece is celebrated with the baking of a special bread with a coin inside of it called vasilopitta. It is cut into three slices: one for Christ; one for the head of the household; and one for the house. If the coin is found in the slice for the house, it signifies an early spring. The recipe can be found at www.greekfood.about.com

People in most countries have something special that they eat at the end or start of the New Year to symbolize their feelings of being renewed and re-energized for another year. They may just be ordinary food to those of us on the outside looking in, but for those participating in the tradition the meaning is what makes the food special. For many, it's traditions like these that put the 'happiness' in their New Year. For more New Years traditions and foods from around the world visit www.123newyear.com