The food of love
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Food and sensuality have been linked since ancient times and many ingredients lay claim to libido-enhanching effects. Science aside, we explore the myths behind popular aphrodisiac foods and how to entice your lover this Valentine's Day with some 'natural viagra'.
Almonds
Samson wooed Delilah with almonds, and author Alexander Dumas courted his mistress with a bowl of nutty soup. Both these can be attributed to the belief that the aroma of almonds could induce passionate thoughts in ladies. Try seducing your dinner guest with Nigella Lawson’s heady chicken, parsley and almond salad.
Avocadoes
The ancient Aztecs named the avocado tree 'Ahuacuati' which translated to 'testicle tree'. Packed full of sex hormone-producing vitamin B: start your seductive supper with Lesley Walter's pear and avocado salad with bacon and mustard.
Bananas
Noted for their phallic shape, bananas have been considered a sexual stimulant for centuries. Containing potassium, another sex-hormone-producing ingredient, why not end the evening's proceedings with a light, heavenly banana and custard soufflé from James Martin?
Cardamom
Intense, aromatic cardamom is high in cineole, an ingredient which can increase blood flow in the body. Get your lover's pulse racing with Tamasin Day Lewis' fragrant braised fennel with olives, thyme and cardamom.
Garlic
Garlic is not an ingredient you would normally associate with feelings of desire - however, the heat from garlic is said to awaken sexual appetite in whomever has the pleasure of eating it. Today's scientists have found that garlic contains an erection-enabling enzyme and has circulation-enhancing properties. Rise to the occasion with Tom Parker Bowles' chicken with 40 cloves of garlic - cooked slowly, it produces a surprisingly mild garlic flavour.
Honey
Sweet, sticky honey is the main ingredient in mead, used by medieval seducers to ply their conquests into romantic rapture. Newlyweds would drink mead as part of the marriage feast, giving rise to the term 'honeymoon'. Bill Granger's honey coated chicken wings make food that’s perfect for picking at for those with butterflies in their stomachs.
Oysters
Probably the most well known culinary aphrodisiac: oysters have been documented since Roman times, when the writer Juvenal described the wanton ways of women after eating giant oysters. Celebrated lover Casanova, was said to eat up to 50 of these potent little molluscs a day. Full of sexual health-improving phosphorus, iodine and zinc, try Ken Hom's steamed fresh oysters.Nora Ryan
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