Since Valentine's Day is just a few days away and many people are daydreaming about romantic dates often followed by sex, I think it is appropriate to talk about one of the most common yet underrated parts of Valentine's day:
romantic food.
Because food is so universal, it tends to get overlooked when it is potentially the perfect ingredient to stir up a romantic evening. Nearly all of my friends think of food simply as expensive nourishment, but it can be used to entice so many different emotions. The trick is to use it properly and in the right context.
To spice up everyone's Valentine's Day, I have decided to outline some of the best and most bizarre aphrodisiacs available. An aphrodisiac is anything used in an effort to increase sexual desire or arousal. Since different people, understandably, like different things there are many different aphrodisiacs. Use this great list to its full advantage on your special night.
One of the most common foods to entice romance is also my personal favorite: chocolate. Chocolate is very versatile. It makes healthy foods sinful, such as chocolate-covered strawberries and peanuts. Whether white, milk or dark, chocolate enhances the decadence of cakes and cookies - they call it Devil's Food for a reason. And it's perfect all by itself.
The philosophy behind chocolate as a wonderful addition to romantic settings is its affect on serotonin levels in your brain, thus it makes you feel happy, like you're falling in love. I'm not sure if this is actually true, but I CAN say it definitely taps into a happy place.""
Upon further research, I found an unusual inclusion: bananas. There is no conclusive evidence that the actual substance of the banana we typically eat has the same chemical effects as chocolate does. However, in Central America, the sap of the red banana is said to help in the bedroom. I maintain that a banana's shape is why this food has been considered an aphrodisiac.
Although chocolate is commonly thought of as an aphrodisiac and bananas don't really make sense, oysters still rank high on most lists of most effective. Apparently raw oysters are high in zinc, which can raise sperm and testosterone production, making it the most scientifically sound food that actually applies to romantic feelings.
Even farther away from acceptable on the spectrum of romantic foods are lettuce, kelp, onion, pumpkin and egg. I will not even attempt to figure out why leafy greens that grow in the ocean are considered sexy, but if it sounds interesting to you, why not give it a shot?
I must warn against finding ""anaphrodisiacs"", which work in the exact opposite way as aphrodisiacs by diminishing libido. No specific food has been categorized as an anaphrodisiac, but avoid very risky and new foods could prove fatal for a romantic evening.
Even though certain foods are more ""romantic"" and others are not, they can only reach their full potential when coupled with the right atmosphere.
I am a firm believer in making meals a team effort. So share the prep time with your partner. Then sit down together and enjoy the company. If you're single, maybe cut that prep time in half by ordering out (bonus: leftovers!).
You can help set the mood by lighting candles and being genuine to what you like to do. Any food can work wonders if it draws attention to sensual areas such as the mouth, which all food does. You could also try feeding each other and bonding through the wonderful magic food can provide.
Overall, trying something new or sticking with old favorites can both be wonderful ideas for making this Valentine's Day special. Go with what you and your partner like.
Good luck, have fun and eat well!
Adventurous food at fault for ruining your special date night? E-mail Claire at crwiese@wisc.edu and tell her about it.
