Oyster

Published On:Wednesday, February 10, 2010

By REUBEN SHEARER

Tribune Features Reporter

rshearer@tribunemedia.net

Its the season of love and many persons will celebrate Valentine's Day with a special meal. But can certain foods really increase your physical desire for other people?

That's the idea, of course, behind aphrodisiacs--an eclectic group of foods and drink thought to increase your sex drive. The name aphrodisiac comes from the Greek words for lust (aphrodisia) and sexual desire (aphrodisiakos), which are themselves linked to the name of Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love and beauty.

Aphrodisiacs are a host of finger foods that you and your loved one can share and feed each other.

"It's the lure of anticipation that makes aphrodisiacs the most attractive," says relationship and couples therapist Maggie Bain. Mrs Bain says you can make anything an aphrodisiac. "An aphrodisiac can be any food that simulates the senses, and colour is the basic quality in aphrodisiac. That's why we get a high, and a rush of romantic thoughts when we are attracted to someone."

For example, chocolate contains Phenyl Ethyl Amine (PEA), which is a natural amphetamine that our body produces. So when we increase the level of this chemical in our bodies, it spikes up desire in the body. Chocolate has been used in courtships for centuries.

Another example is strawberries. This dates back to the Roman Empire when women were forbidden to eat the fruit, hence the thrill of the forbidden increased the sexual drive.

"It was also in the Roman Empire that when people went on their honeymoon, they used to drink strawberry soup to kind of boost their sexual life for their big night," said Chef Jamall Petty from Island Flare Cooking Show on JCN.

Drinks containing ginseng and ginko also increase sexual desire.

"There's a myth with some food items. Shell fish, oysters, contain high percentage of proteins that boost sexual desire. Animal meat doesn't score anywhere as far as sexual desire goes. But seafood does a better job of increasing your mojo. It isn't so much the meat, but there are chemicals in seafood that directly affect your sex hormones, boosting levels of the male hormone, testosterone, and estrogen in the females. Conch, which is the Bahamian version of the oyster impacts your libido immensely," says Lorenzo Martinez, executive chef at Luciano's of Chicago restaurant.

The 'piston' of the conch, or 'conch caviar' is supposed to be the most potent.

"Conch is the Bahamian version of the oyster. Cracked conch tastes similar to fried oyster," he added.

"Tourists ask for conch all the time, says Edwin Johnson, executive chef and culinary trainer at Wyndham Nassau Resorts and Crystal Palace Casinos.

"Mussels, oysters, sushi rolls, sturgeon fish eggs, fresh salmon and other shellfish are all touted to be foods that will stimulate your libido. Put a sprinkle of ginger or hint of cayenne pepper on these sea foods to keep the fire burning during sex," he said.

Mrs Bain says the effect of aphrodisiacs on people depends on the individual. "Aphrodisiacs are for real, but what reacts with me, may not react in you. Some men don't get the potent effect of Viagra in other foods," says Mrs Bain. "Some men may find that it's pretty slow to fully activated in them."

Aphrodisiacs may take your sex life to new dimensions, touting the sensate focus to awaken parts of the brain so that we are alive and in tune with all parts of our body and mind.

Desserts like ice cream, chocolate, and stuffed desserts with warm center can also increase your mood.

"Bananas, cherries, and strawberries are perfect when dipped in chocolate. It's a combination of that type of stuff would be a way to fast track things for the way you would go for Valentine's," says Chef Petty.

The far from usual strawberry daiquiri and chocolate martinis, are more suggestive in increasing your sex drive than the typical celebratory drink of champagne.

According to Chef Petty, men are more likely to order foods that are of aphrodisiac nature. "They typically ask if we have oysters," he said. Most women seem to go with the flow, as they don't really care for aphrodisiacs.

This Saturday, Chef Petty will be discussing some special Valentine's Day foods that will help couples turn each other on. These are recipes that couples can cook together.