Food of Love
Posted on February 6th, 2023
This Valentine’s Day let’s look at foods famous for their reputation as enhancers to love and connection. Think about adding these into your February offerings and beyond. Love, after all, is the ultimate form of connection and what better way to connect with each other than though food?
An aphrodisiac typically refers to a food that arouses desire. While these are largely debunked, the romance associated with these foods lives on…
The term originated from the Latin name aphrodisiaca, from the goddess of love Aphrodite.
Oysters
Oysters gained popularity as an aphrodisiac thanks to Giacomo Casanova, who claimed to eat 50 oysters for breakfast every day and attributed them to his legendary prowess. There is no scientific evidence that there is truth to this, however, oysters are a great source of zinc and amino acids that could boost testosterone levels. Plus, they are just lovely to eat, raw if you can, stuffed, roasted, or fried. How about a properly dressed po’ boy with Sauce Remoulade?
Asparagus
In ancient times, asparagus was renowned as an aphrodisiac, and maybe for good reason. This succulent, savory vegetable contains a stimulating blend of nutrients that help boost energy, cleanse the urinary tract, and neutralize excess ammonia, which can cause fatigue and disinterest. Asparagus is high in Vitamin K and E and folate as well as antioxidants. While most look for pencil-thin specimens, the larger, heftier version, although some peeling is required are ultimately more tender. Once a welcome harbinger of spring, they are available all year round. Save those trimmings for asparagus bisque!
Avocado
Aztecs considered the avocado so potent that virgins were barred from contact with them. Rich and creamy, avocados are notoriously fickle: not yet, not yet, not yet, maybe tomorrow, almost, NOW!, too late. Great in salads, sandwiches, and of course dips, avocados add an unctuous layer of texture. Need avocados to ripen faster? Place them in a paper bag with a few red delicious apples. All aging (decaying) fruits and vegetables give off ethylene gas which speeds the ripening process. The apples will give the avocados a little “push” towards perfection. Try using avocados as a butter substitute in a vegan fudge!
Strawberries
Strawberries are known as the most sensual of all fruits, and the only fruit with the seeds on the outside. Foods packed in Vitamin C increase blood flow, and act as an antioxidant contributing to clearer, youthful skin. Also available all year, strawberries wide distribution adds color and flavor to salads, desserts, and are a ubiquitous garnish. Why not dip them in chocolate while you’re at it?
Chilis
One of the greatest chili benefits, it is a food with the ability to release endorphins, natural painkillers triggered to put out internal “fire.” Endorphins also cause the high of extreme physical exertion. And this floating, energized feeling so powerful in its pleasure that it can cause addiction to spicy cuisine. Heat that is felt from chilis is not a taste but is actually tactile in that the component in peppers, capsaicin, is an irritant albeit a pleasant one for some. The potential heat in a pepper is measured in Scoville units. Try it in a traditional mole, a classical use of chocolate and chilies!
Honey
Honey is also known as the nectar of Aphrodite. The Vikings believed that drinking mead, a fermented beverage made with honey, for a month after a wedding would result in a first-born male child. Hence the tradition of a honeymoon was created. Honey also contains boron which may increase estrogen levels in women. Honey is readily available and has a tremendously varied palette of flavor. Explore honey’s flavor over a full fat Greek yogurt for breakfast or dessert!
Pine nuts (Pignoli)
Are there any vegan aphrodisiacs? Of course. Pine nuts, for example, are also high in zinc, and are known as “vegan oysters”. They are key to making pesto and pignoli cookies and add rich depth to sweet and savory dishes alike. Turn up the intensity by toasting them but be careful! Pine nuts burn very easily and at a penny a piece, yes, we’ve counted, it can be a costly mistake. Despite being high in calories, pine nuts are rich in important nutrients, fiber, protein, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. The best pine nut producing tree is the European domestic Pinus pinea, more commonly called the ‘umbrella pine’ owing to its wide convex shape.
Try them in this Italian classic: Castagnaccio alla Toscana.
Chocolate
No discussion of romantic food would be complete without chocolate.
The Maya believed cacao was a powerful love potion often served as a drink with chilis. Modern science has identified the chemical Theobromine in chocolate can cause a physical and mental state of relaxation or sense of well-being. Chocolate also has small quantities of a chemical called phenylethylamine (PEA), which is a weak mood lifter. We can thank the Dutch for moving cacao from savory to sweet with the addition of sugar. Whether or not chocolate has aphrodisiac potential, we suggest that you conduct some independent field research as soon as possible!
Happy Valentine’s Day from RSA!
