All In Good Taste / February 2006
Spice of Life
Food and drink, pills and potions, animal and vegetable parts and a variety of natural and unnatural substances have been extolled as aphrodisiacs over time. The interest in stimulating passion, at least, is unflagging. The sad news is that science has been unable to validate any substance as a verifiable aphrodisiac. Wishful thinking aside, there is no such thing. Yet, hope springs eternal. And, the mere belief in an item may prove it successful. Oysters and truffles lack any element which might bring on sexual stimulation, yet their reputation remains intact. If one is persuaded that oysters or truffles enhance sexual desire, they may very will do just that.
Named after Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of sexual love and beauty, supposed sexual stimulants include antlers, tigers hearts and rhinoceros horns, countless fruits and vegetables, seeds and seasonings.
Chilies, curries, and spicy foods have been viewed as aphrodisiacs because their physiological effects, raised heart rates and sometimes, sweating, are similar to those associated with sex. Some foods were glorified as aphrodisiacs because of their rarity and mystery. Chocolate was once considered the ultimate aphrodisiac,(and is still favored by many, many women) but the reputation waned as it became commonly available. Chocolate contains chemicals thought to effect neurotransmitters in the brain and a related substance to caffeine, theobromine. M & M’s may be the classic love food. After all, “They melt in your mouth not in your hands”.
Without the advantages of scientific research, ancients relied on laws of similarity to indicate sexual powers. Ginseng, rhinoceros horn, and oysters are three classic examples, but asparagus, cucumbers and banana are also included.
The word ginseng means “man root,” and ginseng has been considered an invigorating, rejuvenating agent for centuries in China, Tibet, Korea, Indochina, and India. The root may have a mild stimulant action, like coffee.
The shape of the rhinoceros horn is credited for its worldwide reputation as a libido enhancer. The horn contains significant amounts of calcium and phosphorus. Although their addition to a deficient diet could improve general physical vigor, the small quantities usually consumed wouldn’t affect physical performance.
Because Aphrodite was born from the sea, many types of seafood, like caviar, have sexy associations. Oysters may have earned their esteem as sex aids because of their contribution of zinc to nutritionally deficient diets of the day, which could improve overall health and lead to increased sex drive.
Pine nuts, the staple of good pesto, have been used as an aphrodisiac since Roman times. Aniseed was a popular aphrodisiac for the Greeks and the Romans with many culinary uses.
The “heat” in garlic was said to stir sexual desires. The Greeks and Hindus considered fennel to be a potent sexual stimulant. A Hindu formula for sexual vigor includes fennel juice, honey, clarified butter, sugar and licorice. In the Mediterranean, fennel soup is thought to increase sexual desire.
Nuts have had a reputation as aphrodisiacs for centuries. During harvest festivals in Rome, maidens passed out bowls of nuts as symbols of fertility. Almonds have long been a symbol of fertility and their aroma is thought to induce passion in a woman.
The Chinese have consider peaches a sensual fruit, engaging to the palate as well as the libido. Phallic shaped bananas are favored by sensual chefs, and anyone who every enjoyed Bananas Foster, the flaming dessert with bananas, rum, butter, brown sugar and ice cream shares the enthusiasm. Bananas are even rich in potassium and B vitamins, necessities for sex hormone production. Avocados and apricots are also thought to be especially sensual fruits, best served ripe and fresh.
Fatigue can squash romance but a cup of coffee can perk up the participants and put them in the mood for love. Coffee drinkers are almost twice as likely to describe themselves as sexually active than non-coffee drinkers.
Many medicines in Egyptian times were based on honey, including cures for sterility and impotence. Medieval seducers plied their partners with mead, a fermented drink made from honey. Lovers on their “Honeymoon” drank mead to “sweeten” the marriage.
Despite the FDA determination that over the counter aphrodisiacs are ineffective, and sometimes dangerous, aphrodisiac sellers take in hundreds of millions of dollars a year. Individuals with libido issues should invest first in a physician’s advice. A lack of sexual energy or ability could be caused by something simple like stress or a common medication or by something as serious as underlying diabetes or high blood pressure. Experts agree that what’s good for a person’s overall health-healthy eating habits and regular exercise-is probably good for their sex life too. A good diet and a daily walk are more dependable ways to develop a satisfying love life than goats’ eyes or deer sperm.
But, even the experts may not know everything, and a little taste treat for Valentine’s couldn’t do any harm...
Dishes from Aphrodite
Raspberries and Strawberries, often described in erotic literature, are perfect love foods, innocent yet sexy for hand feeding and they’re high in vitamin C. Try dipping them in chocolate, sour cream and brown sugar or whipped cream.
The scent and flavor of vanilla is believed to increase lust. Fill tall Champagne glasses to the rim and add a vanilla bean for a heady, bubbly treat.
Nutmeg has been prized by Arabs, Greeks, Hindus, Romans and Chinese as an aphrodisiac and in India, a combination of nutmeg, honey and a half-boiled egg is eaten an hour before sex to prolong love. A serving of warm pumpkin soup lightly sprinkled with nutmeg may spice up the evening.
Current research indicates that cucumbers may stimulate a woman’s olfactory senses, so celebrate Valentine’s with sliced raw cucumbers in a salad, or pureed in a chilled soup.
Onions, one of the oldest recognized, edible aphrodisiacs, were used in ancient Hindu, Egyptian and Arabic kitchens. French onion soup is a considered a lovers dish.
Create a warm, sweet and creamy appetizer to the evening by poking holes in a round of Brie with a knife and filling them with strawberry jam. Heat for 2-3 minutes in the microwave and serve with crusty bread.
Basil, common in Italian seasonings, is said to stimulate sex drive, boost fertility, and produce a general sense of well being for body and mind. Get saucy with spaghetti.
Mustard was once believed to increase desire. And, tenderloin has just the right association. A tenderloin roast with a mustard and peppercorn sauce may take dinner for two late into the night.
Lovers Salad, Insalata degli innamorati, has something from the sea and an a potpourri of aphrodisiacal ingredients. It takes one avocado, a dozen shelled, boiled shrimp ( fresh or frozen), two finely chopped celery hearts, four shelled walnuts, lemon mayonnaise, ketchup and cream. Halve the avocado, remove the skin and pit stone, then dice the pulp into small pieces. Drop the shrimp into boiling water for 30 seconds and cool. Put the avocado in a bowl with the shrimp, the celery and the chopped walnuts. Dress with a pink sauce made by mixing 4 Tbsp. of lemon mayonnaise with one Tbsp each of ketchup and cream. Fill the avocado halves with the mixture and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Copyright © 2007 A Woman's View. All rights reserved.
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