Passion Foods to Ignite Libido
“The simple truth is that any food can be an aphrodisiac as long as you really love to eat it.” Alex Revelli Sorini
DID YOU KNOW? Bee stings were said to be tiny wounds to the flesh by Cupid and his arsenal of love-spiked arrows, this association has put honey firmly in line as a sweet treat for lovers.
From sexy food preparation to Libido enhancing ingredients we look at food as a love offering and what to serve for breakfast in bed and midnight snacks.
The pure nurture value of a food offering places it firmly in the bracket of giving love. Lovers feed each other, toasting their love and many a young child is comforted with a warm drink and cookies by a loving mother. First dates are often a romantic meal; celebrations of life’s milestones are marked with a feast and good food is appreciated with lip-smacking and sensual sounds of pleasure.
“Men become passionately attached to women who know how to cosset them with delicate titbits.” Honoré de Balzac (1799-1859)
WORLD PASSION
As much as mankind has been searching for the ultimate love potion possibly since time began, and even though the US Food and Drug Administration says that the effects of so-called aphrodisiacs are based in folklore not fact, each culture has its own special secrets and offerings believed to encourage or entice passion. Many of these foods can contribute to overall nutritional well-being, which can ultimately improve sexual health.
“Most cultures all around the world have established a link between food and love. The simple truth is that any food can be an aphrodisiac as long as you really love to eat it.” Alex Revelli Sorini (Italian author and food writer)
MYTHOLOGY
• Marjoram: Ancient Greeks believed it was created by Aphrodite’s own breath. Up until Victorian times, floral bouquets included sprigs of marjoram to signify the love of the sender
• Carrots: All root vegetables draw power and intensity from the earth and can transfer that power and intensity to your love life
• Basil: From India to Italy, basil (a proven stimulant) is said to bring passion and love to those who eat it. Southern Italian folklore says a woman who places a pot of basil at her window at night is prompting a visit from her lover
• Grains: Food made from grains are associated with Ceres, the Goddess of agriculture and fertility
• Fenugreek: The Egyptians, Greeks and Romans used the aromatic seeds to increase bust size in women
• Apples: Associated with love especially when Paris, the prince of Troy, awarded Aphrodite a golden apple as tribute to her beauty
• Nuts: A symbol of longevity and marriage. The almond in particular is associated with fertility because its trees are among the first to flower each year
• Lemons: Lemon trees are a symbol of eternal love and faithfulness.
• Wine: The ultimate love potion in liquid form, wine has an eternal connection to Eros. Grapes are a widely used symbol of fertility in many of the world’s important religions and the word ‘vino’ is a direct descendant of Venus, Goddess of Love
EARTHLY
Here is some ‘earthly’ passion food to ignite Libido.
• Sarsaparilla: An ingredient in root wine said to stimulate the activity of testosterone
• Ginseng: Used as an invigorating and rejuvenating agent for centuries in China
• Chilli: The intensity of heat creates sweating, blushing and a racing heart, which mimics arousal. Chillies also release endorphins and are known to block pain
• Garlic: Once considered a cure for impotency, garlic has antioxidants and essential oils that carry antibiotic effects (although, it’s obvious both you and your partner need to partake to avoid being put off by overpowering breath)
• Lychee fruit: Traditionally used in China for thousands of years for its rejuvenating effects on sexuality and fertility
• Pomegranate: Enticing colours and shape, the pomegranate is filled to the brim with antioxidant goodness and was the main ingredient in ancient Greek aphrodisiac wine
• Chocolate: Dark high cacao content chocolate has now been scientifically proven to be good for your health, but watch out for added sugar
• Vanilla: Its smell alone increases blood flow and is especially enticing for older men
LOVE DRINK: History says that Aztec king Montezuma drank up to 50 cups of chocolate a day to sustain his harem of 600 women
LOVE BITE: Legend has it that Tortellino pasta was invented by a tavern owner who had fallen in love with a regular guest, a countess. Peeking through the keyhole to catch a glimpse of her beauty, he could only see her bellybutton through the opening. Inspired by the vision, he rushed back to the kitchen and created the pasta to resemble her navel.
Ancient chefs often practised alchemy – the mixing of ingredients to create potent formulas that promoted feelings of wellness, arousal, relaxation or happiness. And food today is still all about creating the right mix to induce satiation of all the senses.
Breakfast in bed
These love muffins incorporate five known aphrodisiacs – easy to make and delicious for a long morning in bed. Serve with organic coffee or ginseng tea.
Ingredients
1 ¾ cups all purpose flour (or wheat-free alternative)
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp ginger
1 tsp cinnamon
1 Tb ginseng powder
1/3 cup raw cacao chocolate chips
4 Tb butter
1/3 cup honey (liquid works best)
1 cup milk (or oat/almond/coconut alternative substitute)
2 egg whites, slightly beaten
Method
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Mix flour, baking powder, spices and ginseng powder in bowl. Meanwhile, slowly melt chocolate and butter in top of double boiler until smooth. Add melted chocolate to dry ingredients. Add honey, milk, and egg whites. Stir just enough to blend. Pour into greased muffin tins and bake for 20-25 minutes. Cool two minutes before removing from pan.
Midnight snack
Lovemaking uses up energy and you may feel famished afterwards. For a sensual energy, pick-me-up (and never put me down) snack, whip up a snack platter for a picnic in bed.
Put together a platter of almonds dribbled with honey; berries covered in melted dark chocolate; sliced apples sprinkled in cinnamon and add this tasty treat that oozes with sensual flavour:
Fig Frenzy
Ingredients
1/3 cup goat’s milk yogurt
1/3 cup soft fresh goat cheese, crumbled
2 teaspoons honey
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
12 ripe black Mission figs, halved lengthwise
Sprinkle Fleur de sel or sea salt
2 bunches watercress, thick stems trimmed (about 4 cups)
1 cup (loosely packed) small mint leaves
Extra-virgin olive oil
Method
Whisk together first five ingredients in medium bowl. Season with salt and reserve. Sprinkle figs with fleur de sel; set in centre of plate. Drizzle dressing on figs; scatter with watercress and mint. Season with olive oil
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