New Year: What are the best cabals using Peruvian ingredients?

Discover the rituals that feature nutrient-rich national products.

Cabals are traditions filled with optimism, and in Peru, they are enhanced by cultural diversity and local ingredients. Rooted in ancestral rituals, these customs aim to attract prosperity, health, and love for the New Year, incorporating natural elements and native products.

Here are some of the best Peruvian cabals that incorporate local ingredients, perfect for starting the year with fresh, renewed energy.

Source: Shutterstock

Herbal flowering baths

Blossom baths are a cherished tradition that blends ancestral wisdom with natural elements. In Peru, these rituals often feature herbs like rue, rosemary, muña, and basil, valued for their energetic and medicinal properties. They may also include sunflowers, rose petals, and aromatic additions such as agua de florida or palo santo essence, symbolizing purification and harmony.

Boil the herbs in water for 10 minutes and allow the infusion to cool. Once ready, pour it over your body from head to toe while focusing on your goals for the new year. This ritual is believed to cleanse negative energy and invite good luck.

Source: Shutterstock

Eat 12 grapes

The tradition of eating 12 grapes at midnight holds special meaning in Peru. Local grapes, such as those from Ica or Tacna, known for their sweetness, are often used. Each grape symbolizes a wish for each month of the coming year.

Then, select fresh grapes and eat them as the clock strikes 12. Some people even pair this superfood with a glass of Pisco sour or wine to enhance positive energy.

Source: Shutterstock

Lentils and prosperity

Beans are a symbol of fertility, abundance, and prosperity. In many regions of Peru, a handful of lentils is placed in pockets, wallets, purses, or small bags to carry throughout the year.

There are several ways to carry out this ritual, from eating lentils before or during dinner on the last day of the year to throwing them in the air on the night of December 31 while making a wish for prosperity.

Source: Shutterstock

Purifying lemon

Lemon is recognized in Peru for its purifying and protective properties. On New Year's Eve, it is used to absorb negative energies and ensure a fresh start for the year ahead.

Cut a lemon into four pieces and place them on a plate with sea salt. Leave the plate in a corner of your home overnight. The next day, dispose of the lemon by either burying it or throwing it away from your home. This act symbolizes the removal of negativity and the welcoming of positivity.

Source: Shutterstock

Loving honey

Honey, known for its sweetness and symbolic properties of attraction, is a key element in Peruvian rituals to begin the year with harmony and love. In the jungle regions, preparations often include local plants like mucura, along with a splash of honey.

Peruvian cabals with local ingredients not only strengthen cultural ties but also bring a unique and meaningful touch to celebrations. By incorporating these rituals, we honor the earth for its abundance and begin the new year with renewed energy. In this way, Peru invites us to celebrate hope and good fortune through its rich traditions and natural wealth.