Aphrodisiacs

The Foods of Love

Feb 8, 2009 Stuart Stein

In ancient times a distinction was made between a substance that increased fertility versus one that simply increased sex drive.

Consumption was less about the type of food and more about simple nutrition. Undernourishment creates a loss of libido as well as reduces fertility rates.

"An aphrodisiac is a substance which is used in the belief that it increases sexual desire. The name comes from Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of sensuality. Throughout history, many foods, drinks, and behaviors have had a reputation for making sex more attainable and/or pleasurable." - Definition from thefreedictionary.com

Substances that "by nature" represent "seed or semen" such as bulbs, eggs, snails" were considered inherently to have sexual powers. Other types of foods were considered stimulating by their "physical resemblance to genitalia" Even foods deemed to have these aphrodisiac qualities were derived from mythology. Aphrodite was said to consider "sparrows" sacred because of their "amorous nature" and for that reason were included in various aphrodisiac brews. [1]

• ALMONDS - The aroma and a shape that represents the "seed" has made these little jewels a source of passion.
• ASPARAGUS - It's the phallic shape.
• AVOCADOS - The ancients thought that avocados hanging in pairs on a tree resembled male sexual anatomy, and as a result, it developed the reputation as a sensuous food.
• BANANAS - Creamy texture, the phallic shape of the banana flower and they are rich in potassium and vitamin B, vitamins necessary for sex hormone production.
• BASIL - An herb that creates a sense of well being and said to stimulate the sex drive.
• CHOCOLATE - Montezuma referred to chocolate as the "nourishment of the Gods" and was rumored to have drank 50 cups of chocolate every day to boost his virility so that he could keep up with his harem of 600 women. Chocolate's been show to contain central nervous system stimulants that make people simply feel better. Some ancient monks were forbidden to eat chocolate because of its potential to initiate sexual thoughts.
• GARLIC, HORSERADISH & MUSTARD - The heat in these roots stimulate and ignite passion.
• GINGER -This root has been scientifically proven to be a stimulant to the circulatory system. Call it nature's ED medicine.
• LICORICE - Know for its medicinal purposes, chewing on licorice root is said to enhance love and lust, particularly for women.
• ORANGES - Known for their exotic and juicy appeal as well as their seeds of fertility.
• OYSTERS - Oysters were first documented as an aphrodisiac food by the Romans due in part because they felt they resembled the "female" genitals. Oysters are very nutritious and high in protein. Very important to the sex drive and stamina.
• PASSION FRUIT - Juicy, exotic and full of seeds and not to mention they have the appropriate name
• STRAWBERRIES & RASPBERRIES - Associated with romance because of their abundance of seeds making them extremely fertile.
• TOMATOES - The French word for tomato translates to "love apples". Some historians believe that the original forbidden fruit in the bible was actually the tomato.
• TRUFFLES - Their scent is similar to the human male sex hormone; they are also rare, expensive and so European, which adds to their allure.
• VANILLA - The ultimate in aromatherapy for the soul.
• WINE - Especially sparkling wine, is the imbibe that tingles the sense and gets you in "the mood".

It now time for that romantic diner - candlelight, jazz on the iPod, and the foods of sexuality gently simmering away. As everyone agrees the best way to a lover’s heart is through their stomach.

[1] Source: The Cambridge World History of Food

The copyright of the article Aphrodisiacs in Gourmet Food is owned by Stuart Stein. Permission to republish Aphrodisiacs in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Oysters on the Half Shell