New Year's Food Traditions Around the World

Ring in the new year with delicious traditions from across the globe! In this episode, we explore why people eat special foods on New Year's Day—from Hoppin' John and collard greens in the American South to 12 grapes at midnight in Spain, from long noodles in Japan to tamales in Mexico.

Discover the deep cultural meanings behind these foods: round foods for prosperity, long foods for longevity, green foods for wealth, and forward-moving foods for progress. Learn about Indigenous winter solstice celebrations and first foods ceremonies, and why grape farmers may have accidentally created a national custom in Spain.

Perfect for families who want to understand the beautiful ways food connects us to culture, history, and hope for the year ahead. Plus: foods to avoid (no backward-moving lobsters!), fun facts, and ideas for creating your own family fusion feast.

Challenge: Pick ONE tradition from this episode and try it next year!

Episode length: ~25 minutes Perfect for: Ages 5+ and families Topics: Cultural traditions, food history, New Year's celebrations, Black American history, Indigenous traditions, global cuisines

Find us on Instagram: @yumbutwhy

Email us: yumbutwhy@gmail.com

Get ready to test your food knowledge! In this fun-filled trivia episode, we challenge each other (and YOU!) with four rounds of food facts, myths, and mysteries.

🥕 Round 1: Fruit & Veggie Mystery - Can you guess the food from the clues?

🍫 Round 2: Quick-Fire Trivia & Jokes - From chocolate chip cookies to the longest noodle ever recorded!

🍕 Round 3: This or That - Switzerland vs USA chocolate consumption, popsicles vs ice cream, and more surprising comparisons

🦃 Round 4: True or False - We're busting food myths! Does turkey really make you sleepy? Can cranberries bounce?

Play along at home and see how many you can get right! Plus, we've got food jokes that will make you groan and laugh at the same time.

Challenge: Pick one food fact from this episode and share it with someone at dinner tonight. See if they believe you!

Perfect for curious kids, food lovers, and families who want to learn while having fun. No points, no pressure - just pure food trivia fun!

Find us on Instagram: @yumbutwhy

Email us: yumbutwhy@gmail.com

This fall, we are taking you on a delicious journey through:

🪔 Diwali's Festival of Lights & sweet traditions

🎃 Halloween's 2,000-year journey from turnips to pumpkins

💀 Día de los Muertos beautiful celebration of memory

🌕 China's Mid-Autumn Festival & the legend of Chang'e

Did you know jack-o'-lanterns used to be carved from TURNIPS? Or that mooncakes symbolize family reunion? Every festival food has a story!

Find us on Instagram: @yumbutwhy

Email us: yumbutwhy@gmail.com