THE WORLD OF Aphrodisiac Foods

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THE WORLD OF

Aphrodisiac Foods

Some ingredients are said to arouse more than just the tastebuds. But are these foods of love based on science or psychology?

Text by Tiffany Chan, photos by Samantha Sin Special thanks to Christian Louboutin, Great, Indigo, J.Crew, Jimmy Choo, Kate Spade New York, Lane Crawford, Lanvin Timeless,

Russian Caviar House and Sabatini Ristorante Italiano

Let's be frank, people have been enjoying sex for a very long time. We celebrate our love lives most in February, the month of romance. It's not all hearts and flowers, but food too. Every Valentine's Day, the internet is clogged with endless lists of aphrodisiacs ? foods that supposedly enhance sexual desire ? and restaurants all over the world unveil aphrodisiac-inspired menus.

Aphrodisiacs are as old as civilisation itself. They are named for Aphrodite, the ancient Greek goddess of love and beauty. In ancient cultures, human fertility was a moral and religious expectation and certain foods were sought after to help maintain the body's relevant functions.

There are several categories of aphrodisiacs, says Dr Dolores Lamb, director of the Center for Reproductive Medicine and professor of Urology and Molecular and Cellular Biology at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas.

"There are foods where the shapes are reminiscent of sexual organs ? asparagus, celery, onions. Other foods have shapes or textures that are thought to underlie their aphrodisiac qualities [oysters and clams]," she explains. "There are also foods that are stimulatory to our senses [peppers], which stimulate an endorphin release in the body resulting in sensory changes, increased heart rate and sweating."

Countless studies reveal the vague potential benefits of aphrodisiacs. Lamb says that, scientifically, very little is known about the control of sexual motivation and desire, but in the case of human sexuality, the psychology is perhaps more relevant.

"In general, there are no evidence-based medicine studies that compellingly show

foods have aphrodisiac properties," she says. "While scientists may discover the molecular factors regulating sexual motivation in the future leading to pharmacologic interventions, clearly there are personal, human issues at play that transcend molecular biology."

Sexual motivation seems to be primarily psychological. Hong Kong-based psychotherapist Nikki Green says the mind often gets in the way of science, which isn't necessarily a bad thing.

"It makes a lot of sense when you think about how our bodies work, what foods are rich in what, and how that affects our bodily functions," she says. "But it's important to recognise the mind is a powerful thing. There's a placebo effect, so if somebody has oysters and thinks they're going to become a better lover, then who cares? That, in itself, is a wonderful thing."

While Green has never recommended a diet of specific foods to her clients seeking sex therapy, she says food and sex are intrinsically linked, and often suggests starting a night of sexual exercises by eating something light and delicious.

"There is something very hedonistic about food and sex. Sometimes, when I'm giving couples some homework on how to jumpstart their sex lives, part of it will be producing a lovely little meal, very light of course," she says. "It's about spoiling yourself with something delectable and beautiful that will make you happy, and a way to reintroduce the eroticism of the body."

Chefs are keen on celebrating romance in the form of aphrodisiac-inspired menus. Among them is Jaako Sorsa, group executive chef of GR8 Leisure Concept. His Valentine's Day menu at Caf? Roma

this year includes foamy smoked oyster soup, grilled codfish fillet and scallop crusted with almonds, and raspberry chocolate mousse cake.

"A Valentine's Day menu should be filling, but not so much that it leaves guests feeling stuffed afterwards, so the night can continue," he says. "I like the idea of gentle techniques, like poaching, lightly marinated, gently seared. Absolutely no ingredients that result in smelly breath. The dishes should also be designed so they are easy to eat, such as nice spoonfuls, so the conversation is easy and smooth during dinner, especially for first dates."

The environment is important too, he says. "It's not just the food, I think, but it's those romantic moments: you choose somebody special to have dinner with. For me, I like the idea of snacking on oysters, dipping poached and grilled asparagus in hollandaise sauce, feeding each other, enjoyed with lots of champagne and finish with dipping strawberries in chocolate, somewhere warm by the beach, pool or in a Jacuzzi."

Indeed, the search for a magical sex potion or natural elixir is seemingly endless. Lamb says there is a clear distinction between aphrodisiacs, which increase sexual motivation and agents that help performance.

"Although pharmaceutical agents such as Viagra are helpful for some types of erectile dysfunction and are frequently called aphrodisiacs, they impact performance rather than sexual motivation," she says.

"The person-to-person basis for sexual attraction and motivation will be difficult if not elusive to define on the molecular basis ? and isn't this how it should be? We all know couples where perhaps we can't see what lights their inner desires for each other ? but they know and that is all that matters.

From left: Fuchsia strass and metal bracelet $17,100 from Lanvin Timeless; Cosma glitter fabric champagne clutch $10,100 from Jimmy Choo; Kimura flower print heels by Paul Andrew $5,100 from Lane Crawford; pillar candle holder by Astoria $229, gold and white creamer set $299 and vintage cake server $379 all from Indigo; Decollete 554 high heels $6,000 from Christian Louboutin; Nickle wine goblet $299 from Indigo; square crystal necklace, price on request from J.Crew.

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THE WORLD OF

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1. Artichoke

In Greek mythology, Zeus turned a woman into an artichoke after she rejected him. Tough on the outside and soft on the inside, they symbolise the idea of playing hard to get.

2. Pomegranate

Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love, was said to be the first to plant a pomegranate tree. Because of their many seeds, pomegranates are often associated with fertility and abundance.

3. Asparagus

The asparagus is considered an aphrodisiac because of its shape. French couples once dined on three meals of asparagus on the day before their wedding to increase their libido ahead of the big night.

4.Almonds

Greek and Italian newlyweds hand out sugarcoated almonds to represent the bittersweetness of life and in odd numbers to indicate the couple cannot be divided. Superstition has it that if a girl places an almond under her pillow, she will dream of her future husband.

5. Caviar

Caviar is sturgeon roe and, like bird's eggs, it is associated with new life. Caviar was a symbol of fertility for many ancient civilisations. The black pearls bursting against the tongue produce a tactile sensation that many consider erotic.

6. Figs

An open fig is thought to resemble female genitalia and is a symbol of fertility and sexuality. Some biblical scholars say the fig rather than the apple was the forbidden fruit that tempted Adam and Eve, who made clothing from fig leaves. The ancient Greeks also considered the fruit a symbol of love and celebrated new crops with a sexual ritual.

From left: Decollete 554 high heels $6,000 from Christian Louboutin; martini glass by Krosno $325 from Indigo; clutch $3,600 from Kate Spade New York; nickel wine goblet $299 from Indigo; Iriza strass high heels $29,500 from Christian Louboutin; ceramic silver lotus $629 from Indigo.

From left: Artichoke $15.8/100g, pomegranate $18.1/100g, asparagus $22.8/100g, Thailand asparagus $27.4, almonds by Superfood Labs $55 all from Great; classic Russian caviar 20g $315 from Russian Caviar House.

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7. Honey

While the origins of the honeymoon are unclear, it could stem from an ancient tradition ? possibly from northern Europe or Babylon ? that involved newlyweds drinking mead, fermented honey wine, every day until the first moon of their new union.

8. Vanilla

With its shape resembling female genitalia, Europeans claimed vanilla as an aphrodisiac, telling stories of how it can transform the ordinary man into a wonderful lover.

9. Avocado

The Aztecs called the avocado the "testicle tree" because its fruit hang in pairs. They were so convinced of the fruit's aphrodisiac properties that virgin women were not allowed to leave their houses during the avocado harvest.

10. Aniseed

Ancient Greeks and Romans suggested sucking the seeds from the powerfully flavoured fruit to increase the libido.

11. Radish

In ancient Rome, the god Apollo was said to have left a golden radish at the site of the Oracle of Delphi (the temple whose priestess was believed to make prophecies). In Japan, the radish is also considered erotic.

12. Truffle

Throughout history, truffles have been nicknamed "diamonds of cookery" and "testicles of the earth". Napoleon was said to eat truffles to increase his masculine capabilities. The scent of truffles is also similar to male pheromones.

From left: Nickel wine goblet $299 from Indigo; Cosma glitter fabric champagne clutch $10,100 from Jimmy Choo; short stem fuchsia peony $149 from Indigo; Iriza strass high heels $29,500 from Christian Louboutin; gold and white creamer set $299 and pillar candle holder by Astoria $229 both from Indigo.

From left: Organic pure honey by Glenugie Peak $86.5, vanilla pods by Waitrose $86.5, avocado $48.8/each, pink radish - France $26.8/100g, organic fennel seeds by Crazy Jack $25.9 all from Great; truffles from Sabatini Ristorante Italiano.

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