Buzz
Oysters, avocados, chocolate, honey: We’ve all heard that certain foods are thought to ignite passion when consumed. What’s often overlooked is the history and mythology behind these foods, shedding light on how they became associated with romance and desire.
10. Oysters
Casanova, the legendary lover, is said to have begun each day with 50 oysters to prepare for the day’s later activities. Oysters were not only a staple at the notorious Roman orgies, but they were also recommended by Roman physicians as a remedy for impotence. Their link to love is partly due to their suggestive labial shape, and also because of their reproductive habits.
Oysters eject large quantities of reproductive material directly into the sea, enabling external fertilization. Early on, people believed this display of reproduction was a sign of incredible sexual energy. Long before we understood the specifics of oyster reproduction, they were closely linked to Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty. All shellfish were considered sacred to her, as it was believed she emerged from a clam shell, and the pearl was her emblem.
9. Avocado
Louis XIV had a particular fondness for avocados, praising their ability to revitalize his libido. The fruit is renowned for its smooth, creamy texture, which evokes a sensual experience when consumed. However, this is just one of the many reasons it became linked with romance.
Avocados grow in pairs on trees, resembling a certain body part so closely that the Aztec word for avocado, 'ahuacatl,' also meant 'testicle.' When the Spanish first encountered Aztec culture, the avocado had already gained fame as a fruit associated with love.
As the avocado journeyed northward, farmers worked hard to market it to American consumers. They decided on a new name that would be easier to pronounce and distance it from its previous, less appetizing moniker, 'alligator pear.' Though the name changed to 'avocado,' its aphrodisiac reputation remained.
8. Almonds
Wedding favors often include small bundles of candy-coated almonds, and this tradition goes beyond their delicious taste. Almonds have long been considered an aphrodisiac, a belief with roots in ancient Greece. Greek couples were given almonds as a blessing for a prosperous marriage. There was even a superstition that if an unmarried woman placed almonds beneath her pillow, she would dream of her future husband.
In Morocco, almonds play a role in passing down a bride's good fortune to future generations. After the wedding night, almonds are distributed to children. In India, giving almonds to someone of the opposite gender is a clear sign of romantic intent.
The connection between almonds and fertility is also found in the Bible. In Numbers 17:1-8, Aaron’s rod is said to have budded, blossomed, and borne almonds, signifying the continuation of his line. Almonds are referenced again in the Old Testament, including a more subtle reference in Jeremiah 1:11, when God asks Jeremiah what he sees, and he replies, 'I see the fruits of the almond tree.'
7. Pomegranate
The pomegranate holds a deep connection to Aphrodite, the goddess whose name gave rise to the term 'aphrodisiac.' Greek myth tells of the first pomegranate tree being planted by Aphrodite on the island of Kypros. Its ties to her were further solidified by the structure of the fruit itself—split it open, and you'll find it brimming with seeds.
The pomegranate also became a symbol of Hera, with the union of the two goddesses strengthening the fruit’s ties to marriage and fertility. Inside the pomegranate, not only are there countless seeds, but its rich color, reminiscent of a virgin’s blood, symbolizes the consummation of a marriage.
In the myth of Persephone, the pomegranate makes another appearance. After being taken by Hades, she is allowed to return to the surface, but only after consuming food from the Underworld. Persephone seals her bond with Hades by eating a few pomegranate seeds, finalizing their union.
6. Toads
The practice of licking toads for their hallucinogenic effects also led to the use of toad-secreted chemicals as aphrodisiacs. As recently as the 1990s, a drug made from these substances, known as 'bufadienolides' or colloquially 'RockHard,' caused a series of fatalities. This drug was a dangerous version of chemicals once used in traditional Chinese medicine. Believed to be an aphrodisiac, it caused vomiting followed by either cardiac arrest or respiratory failure.
The fatalities occurred after individuals ingested the drug, but in traditional Chinese medicine, this substance is typically applied topically. 'Chan su,' the toxin-based substance derived from toads, helps reduce swelling while stimulating the body. It's also a numbing agent, which is where its aphrodisiac effects come into play. When applied to specific areas of the body, it can reduce sensation and prolong sexual activity. However, when improperly prepared and ingested, it can prove deadly.
If you've ever wondered why a princess in fairy tales kisses a frog or toad to find her prince, it’s not by chance. The act isn’t simply about the hallucinogenic effects of the toad—it could also hint at the aphrodisiac properties it possesses.
5. Rhino Horn
At the beginning of the 20th century, the global rhino population was estimated at around half a million. However, by the 21st century's start, this number had plummeted into the thousands, largely due to poaching, pushing rhinos ever closer to extinction. Though the situation has improved slightly, rhinos still face significant threats.
Poachers are driven by the belief that rhino horns have powerful aphrodisiac properties, largely due to their use in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries. While this is a widely held belief, it's important to clarify that rhino horns have been used in Chinese medicine for numerous other purposes, such as treating nightmares, evil spirits, food poisoning, arthritis pain, colds, fevers, and even as an antidote for snake bites. The claim of aphrodisiac properties is notably absent from the list.
The idea of rhino horns as aphrodisiacs is a misconception originating from the West in the 1950s. By the 1960s, this belief had become widespread, largely popularized by the well-known anthropologist Louis Leakey. It quickly gained traction and was frequently repeated.
A possible source of this misunderstanding could be the Middle Eastern tradition of gifting rhino horn daggers to boys as a rite of passage into adulthood. Additionally, the Greek belief that rhino horns could purify water and the Persian belief that poisoned liquids would bubble when poured into rhino horn vessels further complicate the myth, with little to no connection to their supposed aphrodisiac qualities.
4. Chocolate
Chocolate floods the shelves of stores around Valentine’s Day, but the scientific community is still unsure just how much of an aphrodisiac chocolate truly is. Some research indicates that while chocolate contains compounds known to improve our mood, the quantities are so small that they likely have no significant effect.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding its aphrodisiac properties, chocolate has long held a prominent spot on lists of such substances. The cultivation and use of cacao pods can be traced back to 1400 B.C., much earlier than previously believed.
Numerous historical records highlight the importance of chocolate in both Mayan and Aztec cultures. In both civilizations, chocolate was typically consumed as a drink rather than solid form, as edible chocolate was a much later innovation. The Maya used it in ceremonial contexts, and it was accessible to ordinary people as well as being considered the 'drink of the gods.' During marriage and betrothal ceremonies, couples often consumed chocolate as part of the rituals marking their life transitions.
Chocolate was deeply significant to the Aztecs, believed to be a divine gift from Quetzalcoatl to the mortal world. This sacred food was associated with the gods, and its role in Aztec culture mirrors the Greek myth of Prometheus, who defied the gods by gifting fire to humanity.
The Aztecs not only used cacao beans as a form of currency but also incorporated chocolate into rituals, including marriage and birth ceremonies. A darker aspect was its use in sacrificial rites, where those offered to the gods would be given a 'blessing of chocolate.' Even those reluctant to partake in the ceremonies would receive extra chocolate to help lift their spirits and join in the sacred moments.
3. Garlic
Though garlic might seem an odd choice as a love potion due to its overpowering scent, it has a long history as an aphrodisiac. The Talmud mentions that garlic was traditionally eaten on Fridays, the day couples would fulfill marital duties.
Garlic has long been associated with a variety of beneficial properties for enhancing sexual experiences. It is believed to promote warmth, boost overall happiness, curb hunger, and even increase semen volume. Some even say that garlic is particularly romantic, as it is thought to help rid the body of internal parasites. Certain texts suggest it can also dissolve feelings of jealousy and help foster closeness between two people. However, it is advised not to consume garlic before worship as its odor may offend others.
Despite its numerous benefits, many cultures, including the ancient Greeks and Romans, were repelled by the pungent odor of garlic. A Muslim legend further adds that garlic and onions sprouted from the very ground where Satan stepped when he departed from the Garden of Eden. In India, garlic is considered unsuitable for those in the higher castes, making it socially inappropriate in certain contexts.
In a tragic twist, garlic, once a symbol of affection, was used by the Nazis as a method of identifying Jews. According to Nazi ideology, Jews could be recognized by their distinct garlic odor, and any complaint about the smell of garlic became a derogatory racial slur. What once represented love within marriage morphed into a bitter and deeply insulting tool of oppression.
2. Honey And Mead
Few foods boast the aphrodisiac qualities that honey does. It even lends its name to the most romantic part of a wedding: the honeymoon. More specifically, the honeymoon is named after mead, a centuries-old alcoholic drink made from honey that was believed to enhance libido, especially for newlyweds.
The tradition of the honeymoon dates back to ancient Persia, where couples would drink mead each evening for a month after their wedding. This period was known as the 'honey month,' which eventually evolved into the term honeymoon. In fact, if a baby was conceived during this month and born nine months later, it was said to be the work of the mead maker.
Mead was also thought to bring wisdom and courage to those who drank it, in addition to fostering fertility in the marriage bed. The Celts were drinking mead around A.D. 500, and during St. Brigitte's miracle, she turned water into mead instead of wine. The drink wasn’t confined to the Old World either; the Aztecs and Maya had their own versions of this honeyed beverage.
Mead has a long history of production, and modern science is starting to validate the belief that honey can make newlyweds more amorous. Honey contains B vitamins, proteins, and nitric oxides that support a healthy reproductive system. Moreover, mead helps calm wedding night nerves and lowers inhibitions thanks to its alcoholic properties.
1. Lettuce, The Anti-Aphrodisiac
In ancient Greece, some foods were believed to enhance sexual desire, while others were thought to reduce it. For example, if a wife served her husband lettuce, it was a symbolic and chilly message to keep his hands to himself.
Lettuce was considered sacred to the goddess Aphrodite, though not for the usual reasons. One of her few mortal lovers, Adonis, met a tragic fate in a lettuce field when Apollo’s son Erymanthos, transformed into a wild boar, killed him. Aphrodite, stricken with grief, placed his body on a bed of lettuce to mourn, forever linking the plant with death and impotence. Later, Phaon, another of Aphrodite’s lovers, met a similarly tragic end.
The myth of lettuce's association with impotence was reinforced by the Greek physician Nicander of Colophon, who claimed that no matter how much a man desires a woman, lettuce would render him impotent.
