aphrodisiacs - Articles and Posts from Slashfood

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Aphrodisiac Foods for Valentine's Day: The Look of Love

Posted Feb 12th 2008 6:30PM by Sarah J. Gim
Filed under: Fish, Fruit, Condiments, Shellfish, Sugar, Valentine's Day

It's no secret that what was once inexplicable about the seductive power of chocolate can now be explained with science. In fact, there are a lot of foods we call "aphrodisiacs" that have a real, studied, tested, and documented chemical basis for amor. They're good for your general health, contain compounds that stimulate hormone production, or simulate chemicals that have effects on the brain.

However, there are some aphrodisiac foods that have no scientific basis whatsoever. None! And yet people still use them to woo a lover. Like men and women who pout their lips, put on a red dress, coyly look out of the corner of their eye and lightly touch the other's forearm, these foods have seductive powers based mostly on what they look like and how they feel in your hands, mouth, and throat. Sure, love is about those deep, warm, inner things, but there's something to be said about seduction through visual and sensual stimulation.

Here's a list of nine foods that have the "Look of Love."

Look of Love: Oysters

Posted Feb 12th 2008 6:09PM by Sarah J. Gim
Filed under: Fish, Shellfish, Valentine's Day

oysters at the ferry plaza farmers market - san francisco

Documented by Romans in the 2nd century, there is no question that oysters are the classic aphrodisiac. While there is a lot to be said for their high zinc and iron content, which are important for sexual health, the real power of oysters lies in how they look and feel. Oysters look like some certain part of the female body, and when eaten raw, have a slippery, seductive feel in the mouth and throat.

It's also believed that oysters let a person experience both the masculine and feminine sides of love because some oysters change their gender from male to female and back again through their lifetime. I guess that'll work if you're spending Valentine's Day alone.

Look of Love: Honey

Posted Feb 12th 2008 6:08PM by Sarah J. Gim
Filed under: Dessert, Condiments, Valentine's Day

You and your mate might be Equals, but you don't call each other "Splenda." You call each other "Honey." (You might call each other something else, but you need couples therapy for that, not Valentine's Day.)

Honey as an aphrodisiac comes less from science and biology and more from history and folklore. In Medieval times, men and women seduced partners with mead, a drink made from fermented honey. It was likely that sexual vulnerability in the seducees came from the fermentation part (like drunk targets in a bar today?), and not from the honey. Ancient Persians also drank mead, though they drank it immediately following a marriage to "sweeten" the marriage. That's where we get the term "honeymoon."

However, honey isn't all just folklore. Many medicines in Egyptian times were based on honey including cures for sterility and impotence, which worked because honey is rich in vitamin B, necessary for testosterone production. Honey also contains boron, which helps the body metabolize and use estrogen.

If nothing else, the sight of gorgeous golden honey dripping and oozing that can get the imagination working.

Look of Love: Carrots

Posted Feb 12th 2008 6:05PM by Sarah J. Gim
Filed under: Vegetables, Valentine's Day

Aside from general health benefits like vitamins and beta-carotene, carrots supposedly stimulate men because of -- what else? -- their phallic shape. Carrots were used by early Middle Eastern royalty to aid in seduction. I'm not quite sure if they waved bunches of carrots around in the air, but for our Valentine's Day, I'd suggest something slightly less in-your-face. My choice would be carrot cake. You might lose the visual power of the carrot's long, phallic shape, but who doesn't get aroused by cream cheese frosting?

Look of Love: Bananas

Posted Feb 12th 2008 6:04PM by Sarah J. Gim
Filed under: Fruit, Valentine's Day

Another food that relies on shape and texture, the phallic banana has long been considered an aphrodisiac. It definitely helps that bananas also have a luxurious, smooth texture.

However, there might be some romantic chemistry involved with bananas. Bananas are rich in potassium and vitamin B, which are two components for sex-hormone production. Studies have also shown that the naturally occurring enzyme bromelain enhances male performance.

While bananas might not make it onto the Valentine's Day dinner table for two, they're a good thing to include for Breakfast in Bed the -- ahem -- next morning. Banana-stuffed French Toast or Banana Pancakes are a natural choice.

Look of Love: Avocado

Posted Feb 12th 2008 6:03PM by Sarah J. Gim
Filed under: Vegetables, Fruit, Valentine's Day

Even before finding out that avocado has been known as an aphrodisiac, I could always be seduced by an avocado. The way the ripe, creamy flesh of the fruit feels in the mouth probably has a lot to do with it.

The visual appeal of avocados applies to both men and women. The gentle curves of the avocado are similar to the curve of a woman's body, though I'm not sure how many women would want to be "avocado-shaped." Our word "avocado" comes from the ancient Aztec word "ahuacatl," which translates to "testicle tree." The ancient Aztecs thought the avocado, which hangs in pairs on the tree, resembled male testicles.

Thank God we call it an avocado, otherwise I would have been serving a Lobster, Mango and Testicle Fruit Tower.

Gallery: How to Handle an Avocado

Look of Love: Asparagus

Posted Feb 12th 2008 6:02PM by Sarah J. Gim
Filed under: Vegetables, Valentine's Day

In the 19th century, bridegrooms were served asparagus in three courses because the vegetable was thought to have aphrodisiac powers. Whatever the reason for the effect, it certainly isn't whatever naturally occurring compound it is in asparagus that gives many of us that little fragrance problem in the bathroom after we eat asparagus. However, given it's shape, asparagus is a highly suggestive food, especially because we often serve them whole. Asparagus contains folic acid and vitamin B which are, for women, important not only for a healthy heart, but also for having healthy babies. OoooOOOoooh, so that's what it is -- preparation for making babies!

Look of Love: Artichoke

Posted Feb 12th 2008 6:01PM by Sarah J. Gim
Filed under: Vegetables, Valentine's Day

I'm pretty sure that there isn't any scientific basis for one of the oldest known food's being an aphrodisiac. However, I do believe that it's seductive power is the power of suggestion. By pulling back the leaves one by one, you're undressing the artichoke, and you have to work hard to get at what you really want -- the artichoke's heart, that's been playing hard to get under the prickly "choke."

Of course, artichokes have health benefits. Artichokes are a good source of fiber, potassium, and magnesium. The artichoke is a natural diuretic, a digestive aid, and provides nutrition to health-promoting bacteria in the intestinal tract.

And hey, there is nothing sexier than health-promoting bacteria in your intestines, baby.

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Aphrodisiac Foods for Valentine's Day: The Look of Love

Look of Love: Oysters

Look of Love: Honey

Look of Love: Carrots

Look of Love: Bananas

Look of Love: Avocado

Look of Love: Asparagus

Look of Love: Artichoke

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