Hot on the heels of our most romantic cocktails comes the much anticipated top 5 most romantic foods. Okay, anticipated by the editor. I was supposed to write this before summer. But it’s finally here. 5 foods that will allegedly lift you to dizzying dating heights.
1) Asparagus
I know what it does to the smell of your pee, but seriously, if you’re peeing in front of your date you should perhaps be married already.
Asparagus is a relative of the lily and according to 17th Century English herbalist Nicholas Culpepper “stirs up lust in man and woman”.
19th Century French bridegrooms would also be served three courses of asparagus at their pre-nuptial dinner.
So how does it work? Apparently, asparagus is high in potassium, B6, thiamine, vitamins A & C and folic acid. While staving off scurvy may be important it’s the folic acid that’s the important component here as it boosts histamine production, essential for reaching orgasm in both men and women!
2) Avocado
The Aztecs called avocado trees, ‘testicle trees’, in Aztec of course, not English. Okay this may not be the most romantic imagery but these green beauties are again high in folic acid (come again?) and oleic acid, which reduces cholesterol.
High in fat they may be but for gents out there, the type of fat in avocado helps in the production of testosterone.
And more importantly Catholic priests found the fruits so erotic to look at that they banned its consumption.
3) Oysters
Nowadays most people think this is a myth linked to their apparently suggestive appearance!
In reality, oysters contain vast amounts of omega-4 fatty acids that help fight depression. Okay, again not particularly sexy but they’re also very high in dopamine - the brains very own feel good chemical – and zinc which increases the rate of testosterone production and – ahem – the production of sperm. No wonder Billingsgate fish market has a condom machine in the gents.
4) Chocolate
Another favourite and with very good reason. One in particular called Theobromine, a caffeine like stimulant. Actually, two. Chocolate also stimulates the release of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that regulates mood, appetite and sleep. Stay awake and feel really happy.
Serotonin is also the chemical found in many hallucinogenic mushrooms, and release is stimulated by drugs such as LSD, mescaline and Ecstasy. Just saying.
5) Chilli Peppers
Warning, take in moderation! These fiery little fellas release massive amounts of endorphins into the system causing a surge in energy and mood similar to that felt after hard physical exercise, without the exhaustion.
They also cause the tongue to tingle and lips to swell making them allegedly more desirable to kiss. The lips that is, not the peppers.
Legend has it that King Montezuma used to use chillies as a major ingredient in a chocolate drink he would consume in order to increase his heart rate and general vigour before his daily visit to his concubines.
So it would appear the most erotically charged meal you can have is a chilli chocolate oyster guacamole with asparagus as a dippy side.
WORDS BY JOHN DAVIS
But if you're still looking for someone to cook these romantic foods for you could do a lot worse than joining us for one of our upcoming dating events in London.