Aphrodisiac
Ingredients in the Italian Food
Aniseed
A very popular aphrodisiac with many culinary uses. It has been used as
an aphrodisiac since the Greeks and the Romans, who believed aniseed had
special powers. Sucking on the seeds is said to increases your desire.
Asparagus
Given it's phallic shape, asparagus is frequently enjoyed as an aphrodisiac
food. Feed your lover boiled or steamed spears for a sensuous experience.
The Vegetarian Society suggests "eating asparagus for three days for
the most powerful affect".
Almond
A symbol of fertility throughout the ages. The aroma is thought to induce
passion in a female. Try serving Marzipan (almond paste) in the shapes of
fruits for a special after-dinner treat.
Arugula
Arugula or "rocket" seed has been documented as an aphrodisiac
since the first century A.D. This ingredient was added to grated orchid
bulbs and parsnips and also combined with pine nuts and pistachios.
Arugula greens are frequently used in salads and pasta.
Basil (sweet basil)
Is said to stimulate the sex drive and boost fertility. It is also said
to produce a general sense of well being for body and mind.
Caviar
Sturgeon eggs contain a large amount of vitamins and phosphorous. Try
caviar with vodka for a real experience!
Chili
With a large amount of vitamin C, red, green and Cayenne pepper chilies
stimulate circulation, which is why it is considered to be a potent
aphrodisiac.
Spicy foods have long been considered to be sexual stimulants. There
is some scientific truth to this claim in that foods that are heavily
spiced often contain capsaicin, the active ingredient in cayenne pepper.
Eating capsaicin can cause a physiological response -- increased heart
rate and metabolism, sometimes even sweating -- that is quite similar
to the physical reactions experienced during sex
Chocolate
The Aztecs referred to chocolate "nourishment of the Gods".
Chocolate contains chemicals thought to effect neurotransmitters in
the brain and a related substance to caffeine called theobromine. Chocolate
contains more antioxidant (cancer preventing enzymes) than does red
wine. The secret for passion is to combine the two. Try a glass of Cabernet
with a bit of dark chocolate for a sensuous treat or let us temp you
with our recipe for Chocolate Espresso Pots de creme.
Carrots
Another good reason to eat carrots--believed to be a stimulant to the
male. The phallus shaped carrot has been associated with stimulation
since ancient times and was used by early Middle Eastern royalty to
aid seduction. High vitamins and beta-carotene. Perhaps a justification
for a piece of carrot cake?
Celery
Good old Apium graveolens has quite the reputation. The Swedish cookbook
author, C.E. Hagdahl wrote: "Celery is suspected to be somewhat
sexually exciting or even straightforward arousing." Forget those
phenol sprays that are supposed to make you more attractive to the opposite
sex. Celery contains androsterone, a powerful male hormone that researchers
believe is released through sweat and attracts females. This is a great
way to get your recommended daily allowance of greens boys! Celery has
a long history of use as an aphrodisiac. It contains vitamins A, C,
B, P and minerals. It is excellent for the muscles and liquefies the
blood. But most celebrated as an aphrodisiac are the celery seeds. Crush
them to spice bread or an oil-vinegar salad dressing.
Coffee
Caffeine is a well-know stimulant but remember, too much and it becomes
a depressant. Serve small amounts of rich dark coffee in special little
demitasse cups. Coffee stimulates both the body and the mind so partake
of a little in preparation for an "all-nighter".
Coriander
(Cilantro seed)
The book of The Arabian nights tells a tale of a merchant who had been
childless for 40 years and but was cured by a concoction that included
coriander. That book is over 1000 years old so the history of coriander
as an aphrodisiac dates back far into history. Cilantro was also know
to be used as an "appetite" stimulant.
Cucumbers
It doesn't take a rocket scientist to realize why these cool vegetables
are considered to be an aphrodisiac. The Chicago Smell and Taste Treatment
and Research Foundation found that women become aroused by the scent
of cucumbers.
Farro
It is the original grain from which all others derive, and fed the Mediterranean
and Near Eastern populations for thousands of years; somewhat more recently
it was the standard ration of the Roman Legions that expanded throughout
the Western World. Rich of Selenium and vitamins this ancient
grain has great Aphrodisiace properties... strenght and honor!
Figs
An open fig is thought to emulate the female sex organs and traditionally
thought of as sexual stimulant. A man breaking open a fig and eating
it in front of his lover is a powerful erotic act. Serve fresh Black
Mission figs in a cool bowl of water as it is done in Italy and be sure
to eat with your fingers!
Eggs
Chicken eggs are said to be a good aphrodisiac if eaten raw before sex.
Remember the famous Italian Zabbaione...
Garlic
This pungent member of the lily family has been used to treat a wide
variety of illnesses from the common cold to heart disease. Garlic has
been used as an aphrodisiac by the Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, Chinese,
and Japanese. Garlic mixed with lard used externally to bring on an
erection has been suggested by a professor at USC medical school. (Do
not try this around a hungry German Sheppard.) Garlic stimulates the
appetite, awakens the senses and makes food taste great!
Honey
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 and it was thought to s "sweeten" the marriage.
Liquorice (licorice)
The Chinese have used licorice for medicinal purposes since ancient
times. The essence of the Glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice) plan, glycrrhizin,
is 50 time sweeter than sugar. Chewing on bits of licorice root is said
to enhance love and lust. It is particularly stimulating to woman.
Mustard
Believed to stimulate the sexual glands and increase desire. Prepare
a tenderloin roast (filet mignon) for two with a mustard and peppercorn
sauce.
Nutmeg
Nutmeg was highly prized by Chinese women as an aphrodisiac. In quantity
nutmeg can produce a hallucinogenic effect. A light sprinkling of the
spice in a warm pumpkin soup can help spice up your evening.
Nuts
Whether you prefer walnuts, almonds or macadamias, nuts have had a reputation
as aphrodisiacs for centuries. During harvest festivals in Rome, maidens
passed out bowls of nuts as symbols of fertility.
Olive Oil
Rich of Vitamin E, this vitamin has the property to delay the change
of the cellular structure which leads to natural decadence, the people's
aging, so one of the best medicaments for delaying aging is the olive
oil. On the other hand, as we all know, Vitamin E improves our sexual
life.
Onion
Since prehistoric times the onion has been considered an aphrodisiac.
They are mentioned in many classic Hindu texts on the art of making
love and were commonly used as an aphrodisiac in ancient Greece. (I
always wondered why Alexander The Great was so named!) In the days of
the Egyptians pharaohs, celibate priests were forbidden to eat onions
because of the potential effects on their...er...psyches. Also in France,
newlyweds were served onion soup on the morning after their wedding
night to restore their libido. Consider the following recommendation
"If your wife is old and your member is exhausted, eat onions in
plenty."
by the Roman epigrammatist, Martial.
Oysters
Oysters were documented as a aphrodisiac food by the Romans in the second
century A.D as mentioned in a satire by Juvenal. He described the wanton
ways of women after ingesting wine and eating "giant oysters".
An additional hypotheses is that the oyster resembles the "female"
genitals. In reality oysters are a very nutritious and high in protein.
oysters are a healthy food that are rich in phosphorus, iodine and zinc,
which is known to increase the sexual health of both men and women.
Legend holds that Casanova ate 50 raw oysters every morning with the
lady du jour. Chardonnay is a good match with oysters.
Parsley
One of tne of the most nutritious herbs containing high amounts of vitamins
A and C, potassium, calcium magnesium, phosphorus, iron and other essential
minerals. Parsley was used as far back as the times of Hippocrates as
a medicine believed to help to improve general health. Parsley is an
excellent source of natural chlorophyll, along with a variety of other
healthy nutrients and it is a has aphrodisiac properties.
Pasta
Carbohydrates
If your libido is out to lunch you may be low on seratonin (a brain
chemical that effects mood) and energy. A carbo fix combined with a
little tryptophan (an amino acid found in a variety of meat and dairy
products) may increase seratonin levels, energy and desire.
Pepper
According to The Perfumed Garden (an ancient Arabic love manual), ground
pepper mixed with cardamom or lavender, galanga, musk, honey and ginger
is a potent topical aphrodisiac for men. In India pepper corns are crushed
with almonds, mixed with milk and consumed as an aphrodisiac.
Pine Nuts
These nuts (actually seeds of the pine tree) have been used as an aphrodisiac
throughout the Mediterranean and the East. The Roman poet, Ovid, included
pine nuts in his list of aphrodisiacs. The Perfumed Garden, (an ancient
Arabic love manual), contains many references to pine nuts including
this prescription to restore a man's sexual vigor: "A glass of
thick honey, plus 20 almonds and 100 pine nuts repeated for three nights."
Zinc is a key mineral necessary to maintain male potency and pine nuts
are rich in zinc. Pine nuts have been used to stimulate the libido as
far back as Medieval times. Serve pine nut cookies with a dark espresso
for a stimulating dessert.
Pine kernels are famous for their aphrodisiac properties. Galenus in
200 AD recommended the following night cap to his male patients: a glass
of honey, 20 almonds and 100 pine kernels. Try it!
Another curiosity: the pine nut with most aphrodisiac power is the type
that comes from the PINUS GERARDIANA, a pine tree who grows only in
the NW side of the Himalaya mountains at a height between 2000 and 4000
meters.
Rosemary
Stimulates the nerve centres and boosts the circulation of blood.
Saffron
contains picrocrocin which is alleged to have the ability to cause erotic
sensations.
Tomatoes
Known as love-apples by the French, the humble tomato may have been
the real culprit that got Adam and Eve kicked out of Eden. Fresh, ripe
tomatoes, locally grown and eaten in season are a very seductive food.
Try them with a little fresh mozzarella cheese and some basil. Tomatoes
are rich in the phytochemical lycopene which can help prevent prostate
cancer.
Truffles
The Greeks and the Romans considered the rare Truffle to be an aphrodisiac.
The musky scent is said to stimulate and sensitize the skin to touch.
The fragrant musty smell of this precious, rare fungus contains chemicals
that are similar to the sex hormones in the male pig. (Ok everyone,
make your male pig jokes here.) According to the famed French gastronome
Brillat-Savarin: "Whoever says 'truffle' utters a great word which
arouses erotic and gastronomic memories."
Vanilla
The scent and flavor of vanilla is believed to increase lust. According
to the Australian Orchid Society, "Old Totonac lore has it that
Xanat, the young daughter of the Mexican fertility goddess, loved a
Totonac youth. Unable to marry him due to her divine nature, she transformed
herself into a plant that would provide pleasure and happiness."
Fill tall Champagne glasses to the rim and add a vanilla bean for a
heady, bubbly treat.
Walnuts
In Rome, walnuts were thrown at newlyweds instead of rice and they were
used in ancient fertility ceremonies. Walnuts have also been used in
Italy and France to intensify desire.
Wine
A glass or two of wine can greatly enhance a romantic interlude. Wine
relaxes and helps to stimulate our senses. Drinking wine can be an erotic
experience. Let your eyes feast on the color of the liquid. Caress the
glass, savor the taste on your lips. Do remember that excessive alcohol
will make you too drowsy for the after-dinner romance. A moderate amount
of wine has been said to "arouse" but much more than that
amount with have the reverse affect.
