Christmas Foods from Around the World for the Curious
This important occasion is celebrated in many different and delightful ways across the four corners of the world. So what do people eat and drink? Find all the answers in our article...
New Year's Eve is the last night of December and the first morning of January. Some of us see New Year's as a Christian tradition. Yet it has no connection to that religion, near or far. Because the religiously significant night for Christians is the night of December 24th going into December 25th — the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. Even though it marks an anniversary on the Gregorian calendar, New Year's Eve is definitely not about the birth of Jesus Christ.
Almost everywhere in the world, the end of one calendar year and the beginning of a new one is considered worth celebrating. Countries welcome the incoming year on the last night of the old one in their own unique ways, with their own cultural customs and special foods.
We got curious about the traditional dishes that grace New Year's tables around the world, did our research, and put this article together.
USA
When it comes to Christmas foods in the USA, cranberry sauce is arguably the one thing that must be on the table. Without it, the meal always feels incomplete. In fact, for some families it is an absolute must at both Christmas and Thanksgiving dinners — you can imagine just how important it is.
Germany
It's a German fruit cake filled with dried fruits and marzipan — its name? Stollen…
This delicious cake is eaten on Christmas Eve in Germany and is known as "Christstollen."
Australia
Since the New Year falls in the middle of summer in this country, the celebrations and food and drink naturally reflect that. The one absolute essential of Christmas Day is the barbecue. On top of that, Christmas celebrations in Australia are not considered complete without eating seafood.
Brazil
Like Australia, Brazil is one of the countries that rings in the New Year in warm weather. Their traditions are quite lovely too. When welcoming the New Year, they absolutely must consume Lentil Soup (Mercimek Çorbası) or a lentil dish. In their culture and beliefs, lentils represent wealth and abundance.
China
Everyone gives each other apples wrapped in glittery paper as gifts. Surprised, aren't you? And this tradition is quite popular — it's passed down from generation to generation.
Denmark
Risalamande — or rice pudding as we'd call it… Yes, you heard that right. Most Danish families enjoy spooning through this special pudding on Christmas Eve.
Spain
There is always one guest at the Christmas dinner table, and its name is ham. It is the traditional food of Christmas Eve celebrations.
Italy
It would be no exaggeration to say that the heart of Italian Christmas foods is panettone bread.
Japan
They prepare their New Year's Eve dishes in a rainbow of colors, and each one carries a different meaning. For example, shrimp represents "longevity," black beans represent "good health," sweet potatoes represent "happiness," and so on. The traditional New Year's food is rice cakes called mochi — colorful ones, of course.
Poland
On Christmas Eve, beet soup takes on the role of the traditional starter. In Poland it is known as borscht.
Russia
On Christmas Eve, they do not eat anything until the first star appears in the sky. Their traditional food is a kind of porridge called sochivo, served with wheat, rice, fruit, and seeds.
We believe in celebrating new beginnings and giving thanks for having safely made it through the old year, despite all its hardships. As the Tarifi Kolay family, we wish you everything your heart desires in 2019. Happy New Year…
