Food as an aphrodisiac?
Posted by RSVP on
We all know that an aphrodisiac is something that is meant to make sex more attainable and/or pleasurable; however did you know that initially aphrodisiacs were sought out as a remedy for sexual anxieties such as fear of inadequate performance or the need to increase fertility.Back then, procreation was an important moral and religious issue however today, aphrodisiacs are less about increasing fertility and more about a little bit of fun that will hopefully lead to increased pleasure at the end of the night!
But are aphrodisiacs more hype than substance? And what foods are actually considered an aphrodisiac?
We all know the main ones:
- Caviar - stimulates the formation of testosterone, maintaining male functionality
- Oysters - repeatedly changing their sex from male to female and back, the oyster lets one experience the masculine and feminine sides of love
- Avocado - the Aztecs called the avocado tree Ahuacuatl, meaning testicle tree
- Banana - its enzyme bromelain enhances male performance, not to mention its phallic shape!
- Champagne - the 'drink of love', it lowers inhibitions
- Chocolate - the serotonin makes you feel excited, thereby increasing your libido
- Honey - used by the Egyptians as a cure for sterility and impotence. Honeymoon lovers drank a honey concoction to 'sweeten' the marriage
- Raspberries and Strawberries - described in erotic literature as fruit nipples
- Figs - celebrated by ancient Greeks with a copulation ritual. An open fig is thought to emulate the female sex organs and traditionally thought of as sexual stimulant; a man breaking open a fig and eating it in front of his lover is a powerful erotic act.
- Truffles - long considered to arouse the palate and the body by stimulating and sensitising the skin to touch
But did you know that these foods are also renowned for their aphrodisiac properties:
Almond, aniseed, asparagus, basil, broccoli rabe, carrots, coffee, coriander, fennel, garlic, ginger, ginseng, mustard, nutmeg, pine nuts, pineapple, radish, anise, salvia, gladiolus root, orchid bulbs, pistachio nuts, rocket (arugula), sage, turnips and Vanilla.
And then there are the more risqué options of Rhinoceros horn, reported to turn men into unrelenting sex machines, or Tiger penis; the reputations of which seem to be based on the virility or aggressiveness of the animals in question rather than hard (excuse the pun) evidence. In some Asian countries an entrée of Tiger penis can be up to $5,700! Not to mentioned that these are endangered species so this is also morally wrong.
Other less appealing options include raw turtle eggs, skink flesh, river snails and puffer fish, another supposed aphrodisiac in Japan but beware of the poisonous gland which is deadly; the flirt with death is said to give a sexual thrill!
History also suggests the following foods have adverse effects on your sex drive; dill, lentil, lettuce, watercress, rue, and water lily - great news for salad dodgers!
So while there is no scientific evidence that these myths are anything other than that, history has pages and pages of evidence. Chocolate was even banned in some monasteries centuries ago due to its aphrodisiac reputation!
So who are we to believe? Does it really matter? I say if you like something and it makes you feel good... then go for it! Mind over matter can also work wonders... so happy cooking!