Erotic Cuisine - Turn On Foods

The etymology of the word “aphrodisiac” is from the Greek goddess of Love and Beauty Aphrodite. This same goddess was said to consider sparrows sacred due to their “amorous nature”. These birds were a vital ingredient in aphrodisiac concoctions due to this belief.

Throughout history, certain kinds of food have been labeled as aphrodisiacs or foods of love. One taste and he or she is ready to fall into ones arms. The Marquis de Sade and Queen Cleopatra are said to have used such concoctions to coax or enslave their lovers. Whether or not such claims are true, the idea of food having anything to do with sexual arousal is very interesting and intriguing.

Aphrodisiacs were originally sought for curing various sexual inadequacies or anxieties as well as a remedy for infertility or to increase fertility. This is understandable as procreation is a very important factor in marriage. If one seems to have a problem bearing children or fathering any, there is hope in the form of aphrodisiacs.

What makes certain kinds of foods aphrodisiacs? Even way back then, a distinction was made between concoctions that increased fertility and those that increased libido. The issue of nutrition is why some foods are attributed to have such special powers. In ancient times, food was not as easily accessible as it is now. Malnutrition has been linked with loss of sexual arousal and decrease in fertility. Even today, nutrition is has been found to play a vital role in human procreation. Substances that resemble genitalia such as eggs, eggplants, oysters are said to have high aphrodisiac properties.

Others would argue that it is the aroma and not the actual eating of these foods that stimulate or arouse the senses.

Pliny and Discordes, both ancient Greeks, identified and recorded such food substances to contain said properties giving credence to what until then was merely hearsay and idle speculation.

Among the list of known aphrodisiacs are anise, basil, carrots, salvia, gladiolus root, orchid bulbs, pistachio nuts, arugula, sage, sea fennel, turnips, skink flesh (a type of lizard) and river snails.

Anaphrodisiacs or substances that are said to decrease potency are dill, lentil, lettuce, watercress, rue, and water lily

Below are the most popular aphrodisiacs (although not all are food):
1. Rhino Horn
2. Ginseng Root
3. Oysters
4. Chocolate
5. Yohimbine
6. Alcohol
7. Spanish Fly

Despite the popularity of aphrodisiacs throughout history, little or no studies have been made to prove or disprove their effectiveness. The cure of male impotence is more the focus of scientific research with the occasional testing of drugs and hormones. Most of the materials available are compilations not based on scientific fact but on myth and folkloric tradition. The resemblance of some substances to genitalia automatically qualifies them as aphrodisiacs. Traditionally, the most popular aphrodisiacs seem to stem mostly from vegetables, fish and spices. Steeped in mysticism and magical mystery, it has yet to be proven though whether any of these so called foods of love are actually as effective and beneficial as they are reputed to be.