In honor of Valentine’s Day, Kim and Leigh take a look at the lore and science of foods that are purported to promote virility, trigger sensuality, and make you swoon. We are, of course, talking about aphrodisiac foods
Love Is In the Air
Valentine’s day is just around the corner! Since this day is all about romance, we talk about aphrodisiac foods that will help set the romantic stage. In this episode we merge the cultural and scientific sides of some of the aphrodisiac foods.
The word aphrodisiac comes from a Greek origin and relates to Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love. An aphrodisiac food increases amorous feelings and stimulates sexual behavior. If you dig into this subject, you’ll find out that oysters are a popular aphrodisiac because they increase sperm maturation. Another example is chocolate, but apart from being a rich and calming food item, there’s no scientific evidence that it’s an aphrodisiac. Chocolate is also associated with strawberries because chocolate-covered strawberries are a sought-after item on such occasions.
If someone wants to heat things up on Valentine’s, they should eat Chilli peppers, an aphrodisiac, because they induce heat and sweating. Lastly, figs are also an item that is connected to the Garden of Eden story. Many believe that fig was the forbidden fruit. Spices and cinnamon are valuable examples, too, because they make the body warm.
In all of these examples, culture has played a big role in normalizing these foods as aphrodisiacs. Numerous folk tales have added these foods to the narrative as well. But when we come to science, the power of suggestion is a crucial stimulus that activates the aphrodisiac effects. For example, foods that look similar to phallus ignite physiological reactions.
Let’s hop on to our suggested Valentine’s recipes by considering more aphrodisiacs and the cultural power these exert. First up, we have a fruit that links to genitalia due to the power of suggestion. Scientifically, it’s rich in vitamin E, which elevates vigor, and culturally, Aztecs called avocado “testicles.”
Next, we have a vegetable, and it’s said that Aphrodite used to eat this vegetable to increase her sex appeal. Scientifically, this vegetable include a trace mineral Boron that elevates sex hormones. On Valentine’s, a roasted salad with oranges, feta cheese, and avocado is what we suggest. In this one salad, you can have all the aphrodisiacs.
After learning how food can influence our sexual lives and feelings, we start to appreciate it more. It also helps us to get familiar with our bodies. So, next time you want to get in the mood, you know which foods to eat! What will you choose?
Aphrodisiac Foods Transcript
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Sources We Found Helpful for this Episode
Books We Think You’ll Enjoy Reading
Recipes You Really Need to Try
Oyster Bar - Chez Us
Strawberry Brownies - Pastry Chef Online
Beet Salad - Pook’s Pantry
Hummus - Fearless Dining
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EP 11 Aphrodisiac Foods: Culture, Science, and Hummus