What makes an aphrodisiac?

Foto by Matt Freedman from "La Figa" by Tiberio Simone

I have been inspired recently by a few aphrodisiac cookbooks and their chefs. Some have great recipes, some provoke with their creative photography, some are just sexy, and all have good stories.

I also found out that apparently the US Food and Drug Administration “FDA” does not recognize food as aphrodisiacs. According to the FDA the “curing” effects of these jewels have not been scientifically proven and hence you may not claim your passion as direct relation to your partners cooking skills unless they literary drug you for such purpose.

So what exactly makes an aphrodisiac? 

In my opinion we, as all animals, live through our senses and instincts and if you can enhance those and even go beyond….oh well, you may be in for a lovely surprise. And what makes a drug anyway. We can write a whole book about this debate.

There are some foods or spices that can make your mind wonder away into the sweetness of their smell such as vanilla, basil, or a morning coffee. There are some that contain energizing substances bringing vigor and liveliness into your body and well…better performance goes hand in hand. Chocolate and coffee are only a couple most common ones to mention. Then there are some that just literary make you hot, and I mean chili hot and ginger hot and guess what, there are the soothing ones like honey if its just a bit too tickly for an amateur tongue. We also have ones that are so rich in vitamins and precisely zinc that with time your libido will be in top shape. Oysters are a perfect example of your daily zinc dose. And of course we have very visual ones that remind us of all sorts of sexy body parts and other objects. I’m sure you have all heard of the asparagus or avocado and oysters as well. Aren’t they beautiful?

When wondering around the fruits of mother “Nature” nothing is impossible. She is generous and playful and it’s up to us as to how far we are willing to go and how responsible and respectful we can be.

At the end of the day our mind is the most powerful aphrodisiac of all and all the stimulants we use are just tools to tickle our senses.

I wonder what happens when you meet a skillful carpenter of these gifts. What can happen when you are suddenly exposed to a dish that can tickle all these senses at the same time? Shall we try some recipes?