What are they?

Named after Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of sexual love and beauty, an aphrodisiac is any food or drug, drink or scent believed to stimulate sexual desire. Many claims have been made about their magical powers, while remaining largely unproven by the men in lab coats.

Popular aphrodisiacs include: oysters (slip down nicely); garlic & onions (smelly); musk (smellier); quince (fruity); cheese (protein), chocolate (yummy), asparagus (phallic), walnuts, pine nuts & grapes (finger food); ginger (tickles the tongue); chilli (feeling hot!); avocados (creamy); honey (the gooier the better); Spanish Fly (dried blister beetle); tiger bones (illegal); rhino horn (outlawed); jackal bile (weird); snake blood (creepy); seal penis (no thanks); deer testicles (do we really need to continue?); deer penis (that's definitely enough); and absinthe (well, OK, just a quick one then).

Why use them?

Because we all want to be better lovers, don't we? Aphrodisiacs tap into this basic human insecurity about our sexual potency and performance. The science behind the claims may be dubious, but there's a lot to be said for the power of suggestion.

The explanations?

• They look a bit saucy: You only have to look at the rhino horn to see why blokes believe it'll boost their boners, while oysters have a certain 'female' quality. Ginseng is also thought to possess aphrodisiac properties. A popular form of Chinese medicine, it's no coincidence that the name translates as 'man root'. Nuff said.
• They produce physical reactions associated with having sex: You eat a chilli, a well-known aphrodisiac, you end up hot and bothered. The same goes for curries and other spicy food. Now pass the Naan, baby.
• They contain trace elements known to improve vitality: The addition of calcium and phosphorous to a diet deficient in the stuff could well boost your lust for life, both vertically and horizontally. Sure enough, rhino horn is packed with plenty, just as prisons near game reserves are packed with prats who have tried to get hold of the stuff. Zinc, found in oysters, is another substance associated with sex, largely because of its role in sperm production.
• It comes from the sea: Just like Aphrodite, in Greek mythology. Make shellfish your dish of the day, and who knows what effect it might have on your nights.

Serving suggestion:

TheSite cooks up a sumptuous spread, with an aphrodisiac in every deep dish. Serve it up for someone special, then turn the lights down low.

• Starter
  Mushrooms with garlic in a butter sauce
  Pine nut soup
• Main course
  Meatballs in a mushroom sauce
  Mussels spiced with garlic and saffron
• Dessert
  Cheesecake (naturally)
  Chocolate ice cream

Updated: 14/10/2008