Is this the food of love?
Weird and wonderful aphrodisiacs from around the world...
- Artichokes
- Asparagus - In 19th-century France, bridegrooms were often served three courses of the vegetable at their prenuptial dinner
- Bananas - The sap of the red banana is considered an aphrodisiac in Central America
- Celery
- Cow cod soup – Traditional rural delicacy made with bull penis (or "cod").It is cooked with bananas and scotch bonnet pepper in a white rum-based broth (Jamaica)
- Deer penis (Taiwan and China)
- Ginseng
- Lettuce – Oddly considered an aphrodisiac in Ancient Egypt and was eaten by the sexually potent God of Chaos, Seth.
- Mannish Water - Goat soup made from various goat parts seasoned with local herbs and spices, and cooked along with vegetables, yam, potato, bananas and dumplings. Traditionally served to the groom on his wedding night (Jamaica)
- Mamajuana – An alcoholic drink concocted by allowing rum, red wine and honey to soak in a bottle with tree bark and herbs (Dominican Republic)
- Oysters
- Dark Chocolate - There is some debate as to whether the chemical ‘phenylethylamine’ present in chocolate is an aphrodisiac or not. We say “yes!”
- Mead (especially spiced varieties)
- Saffron - The world's most expensive spice has been cultivated for over 3,000 years and has been scattered on the beds of Ancient Persians and in the bath of Queen Cleopatra, so who are we to argue?
- Spanish fly (cantharidin) – This crushed emerald-green beetle is often given to farm animals to incite them to mate. It has been given to humans for purposes of seduction since Roman times although is potentially extremely toxic so beware!
- Truffles
- Strawberries – a far tasty option than crushed beetles we imagine