Buzz
Throughout history, humanity has been captivated by things that promise to enhance youth, vitality, and fertility. Many products on supermarket shelves still make similar claims today. The major difference between past and present is that science now offers the tools to determine whether these promises hold any real value. Before the rise of scientific methods, pseudoscience and deceptive remedies were often sold to soothe people’s fears and insecurities.
Almost every type of food has been associated with boosting libido at some point. Some still carry this reputation today. But can everything people have ever eaten really be considered an aphrodisiac? There’s no concrete evidence that anything besides alcohol consistently increases desire, and even then, alcohol can sometimes lower libido. The rest are just ordinary foods—some of which are far from anything considered ‘sexy.’
Here are ten seemingly normal foods that were once believed to have aphrodisiac qualities, along with the stories behind their legendary status.
10. Beans
A food still widely enjoyed today, the humble bean exists in numerous varieties and has been a staple for millennia. Long before they became associated with Hannibal Lecter’s iconic dish, beans were believed to have aphrodisiac properties. This reputation first arose in early modern England, spanning from the 16th to the 18th centuries. During this period, there were four main ways a food could gain the status of an aphrodisiac.
Foods that felt warm or heated the body, those that were considered particularly nourishing, and those that fell under the “doctrine of signatures”—a belief that foods resembling certain body parts held special properties—were considered aphrodisiacs. The final category was the awkwardly named “windy meats,” which included foods that caused flatulence, such as beans. It was believed that the same air released during flatulence could help prepare men for the bedroom. Beans and peas were often prescribed to men struggling with such matters.
9. Mustard
Mustard was believed to possess aphrodisiac qualities because of its heat. The plant’s natural defense mechanism releases compounds known as isothiocyanates, which irritate and poison pests. The sharp sensation people feel when consuming mustard is caused by these compounds interacting with pain receptors in the mouth. The intensity of this reaction is mellowed by other ingredients, like vinegar.
This fiery effect has been enjoyed since ancient times. The Romans cultivated mustard throughout Gaul (modern-day France) after their conquest of the region. When monastic communities began to form across Europe, some took over its production. While many monks refined mustard's production, some believed it had aphrodisiac properties. To avoid temptation and maintain their chastity, many monks banned themselves from eating or producing the condiment.
8. Potatoes
While monks were diligently avoiding aphrodisiacs, those leading more carefree lives were eager to indulge. This contrast is echoed in Shakespeare’s play The Merry Wives of Windsor. In it, Shakespeare’s often comedic character, John Falstaff, plays the role of an unsuccessful lover. Though his behavior is far from virtuous, when he encounters the wives in the forest, he makes a seemingly bizarre request. “Let the sky rain potatoes,” he prays.
Though Falstaff is known for his love of food and drink, he doesn’t mean this literally. What he’s actually wishing for is success—and more importantly, skill with the ladies. To Shakespeare and his audience, the request would have made perfect sense because, in the 16th and 17th centuries, potatoes were commonly believed to have aphrodisiac effects. Falstaff likely referred to sweet potatoes, which had been available far earlier than the white variety that arrived later from America.
7. Carrots
As children, many of us were told that carrots help with vision, particularly night vision. However, in ancient Greece and Rome, carrots were thought to offer entirely different benefits—most notably, as an aphrodisiac. Like many phallic-shaped vegetables, carrots were believed to ignite passion in those who consumed enough of them. Before the medieval doctrine of signatures, the shape of vegetables wasn’t as strictly important; for example, the Romans believed cucumbers could reduce one’s desires.
The belief in carrots’ aphrodisiacal powers was widely accepted in ancient times. Caligula, the famously lustful Roman emperor, was one of the prominent believers. He is said to have force-fed carrots to the Senate in an effort to make them succumb to their desires and embarrass themselves before him. Roman soldiers also reportedly prepared a carrot broth for women they captured.
6. Eggplant
Using the eggplant—a fruit, yes, fruit—as a visual metaphor is hardly a new trend, and it didn’t start with smartphones. In fact, this symbolism is found not only in Western cultures but also in Korean literature and Japanese haiku. The belief in its aphrodisiac qualities spans across Asia, Africa, and Europe. In 16th-century France, it was even called “pomme d’amour,” meaning “love apple.” However, the belief in its aphrodisiac properties likely wasn’t solely based on its appearance, nor was this its only reputed effect.
Eggplants are part of the same family as the deadly nightshade, a plant known for its potent toxicity, capable of causing significant effects. Mandrakes, another member of this family, also have a reputation for strong impacts. While eggplants had been cultivated for thousands of years and were widely consumed across Asia, many cultures believed that the fruit had other notable side effects. Beyond being thought of as an aphrodisiac, eggplants were also believed to stimulate the appetite, induce fevers, cause madness, and even lead to leprosy.
5. Parsnips
Anyone who has ever enjoyed parsnips with honey may not have realized that these once sweetened vegetables were considered a luxury in ancient times. Roman patricians indulged in this delicacy, and Emperor Tiberius was known to have been particularly fond of them. The story goes that Tiberius, having developed a taste for parsnips during his time in Germany, had them imported to Rome, where they were part of the tribute paid to him by the Germanic tribes.
However, the appeal of parsnips wasn’t just about their taste. Like carrots, the shape of parsnips may have reminded people of something else, leading them to be seen as aphrodisiacs over time. This belief wasn’t unique to the Romans. In 17th-century England, parsnips were one of many foods thought to improve bedroom matters, and were even prescribed to married couples.
4. Almonds
While parsnips were once used to sweeten dishes, sugar eventually took its place as the preferred sweetener. Sugar's versatility made it suitable for smaller treats like almonds. This led to the creation of Jordan almonds, also called “dragees” or “Italian confetti”—candy-coated almonds typically seen at weddings. Though the exact origin of the name “Jordan” is debated, with some linking it to the French word for “garden” and others to the River Jordan in Palestine, it’s clear why these sweet treats are tied to weddings.
Almonds are considered an aphrodisiac in many Middle Eastern cultures, which is why Jordan almonds are often given as wedding gifts. The way these almonds are presented carries symbolic significance for the couple as well. They are usually given in bags containing five almonds, as five is seen as an indivisible number. Each almond represents a guest’s wish for the newlyweds: health, children, wealth, long life, and happiness.
3. Beer
Why have certain foods always been believed to be aphrodisiacs? One explanation could be the placebo effect—people hear that a food has certain powers, and their belief in it causes them to feel the effects when they consume it. It’s also possible that all foods could have some aphrodisiac effect. If food is in short supply, a person’s reproductive drive may decrease, as seen in other species. Therefore, the reverse might hold true as well. However, current scientific research only supports one widely consumed substance as being linked to arousal: alcohol.
Nevertheless, the aphrodisiac qualities of alcohol may have diminished over time, particularly when it comes to beer. Before the 18th century, European beer was flavored with a blend of herbs called gruit rather than hops. The ingredients in gruit varied by region but sometimes included stimulant herbs, contributing to beer’s aphrodisiac reputation. Eventually, gruit was almost entirely replaced with hops, which were believed to have the opposite effect.
2. Lettuce
For the ancient Egyptians, lettuce was far more than just a salad ingredient. It held a special significance in their culture, so much so that it was depicted in tomb paintings over 4,000 years ago. Lettuce even appeared in the myths surrounding their gods. It was said to be the food of Min, the Egyptian god of fertility. In art, Min was often shown as a male deity “ready for action,” and the Egyptians believed that lettuce helped him maintain his vigor without ever tiring. Why?
Like many other purported aphrodisiacs, the reputation of lettuce stems from its appearance. It grows tall, straight, and robust. When a part of Romaine lettuce is snapped off, a milky white substance oozes out. While the verdict is still uncertain on whether it can truly enhance bedroom performance or spark a sudden desire for intimacy, lettuce is rich in vitamin A, which benefits the reproductive system in both men and women.
1. Coconuts
Cocoa has long been considered a desire-inducing food, and many still believe in its effects today. Coconuts, however, have not traditionally held the same reputation. Surprisingly, though, historical evidence shows that they were once considered aphrodisiacs—in medieval Germany. Contrary to the memorable scene in *Monty Python and the Holy Grail*, where King Arthur explains how his servant acquired coconuts, these fruits were actually found across Europe during medieval times.
Imported from India, coconuts became particularly popular in England. While they were utilized in medicine, their shells were primarily sought after, as they were crafted into cups and goblets that were favored from the 13th century onward. As rare and exotic objects, it's no wonder that coconuts were initially believed to possess magical properties. In addition to stimulating desire, they were even thought to have the ability to detect poison.
