Aphrodisiacs

Quote: . Bananas From its obviously phallic shape, the banana easily connotes sexuality. More practically, however, the banana has loads of both vitamin B and potassium, which are important in the human production of sex hormones. Bananas are also chock-full of chelating minerals, which help the body absorb essential nutrients and as a result are said to boost the male libido. Banana Cake with Banana Ice Cream—a light banana cake with a layer of ice cream in the middle—offers a double dose of the fruit. 2. Almonds For thousands of years, almonds have been symbols of fertility. In Christianity, almond branches are sometimes used to signify the virgin birth of Jesus and as a symbol of his mother, Mary. In the Bible story of Samson and Delilah, Samson wooed and won his lady with sweet-smelling almond branches. The sweet fragrance of almonds and the almond flower has been thought to arouse passion in women—which might explain the abundance of almond-flavored soaps and lotions marketed toward the fairer sex. Almond Macaroons are not only sweet smelling but also sweet tasting, and can be made in less than 30 minutes—a good way to get things heated up when you don’t have much time. 3. Honey Flowers are a classic romantic gesture, so is food from flowers exponentially more romantic? Well, almost. Honey, which is produced by honeybees harvesting nectar from flowers, does a lot to encourage sexuality. Honey is a great source of boron, which has been proven to stimulate estrogen production in women and testosterone production in men. Plus it’s sticky and sweet, characteristics that find parallels in sexy substances that the body produces. Honey Caramels offer a bite-size dose of honey, a perfect little boost when you might need it. 4. Pine Nuts Bodybuilders know pine nuts well, as the tiny nuts are a zinc powerhouse, and zinc is an essential chemical in the production of testosterone. Since medieval times, men looking to increase their stamina have been eating pine nuts, as they also serve to increase cardiovascular function, which, when combined with increased testosterone production, can yield sexually beneficial results. Pine Nut Cake is a sweet way to get a full serving of these tiny aphrodisiacs. For a fuller effect, try a cup of coffee on the side, as caffeine is a traditional and effective stimulant. 5. Garlic After onions and coffee, garlic might fuel some of the most repulsive breath odors. It’s surprising, then, that the bulb is incredibly high in allicin, a compound that increases blood flow in a serious way, yielding increased sexual stamina and wild energy. Milder than raw garlic, Garlic Confit is a great way to get the blood flowing—just make sure all parties partake so that everyone has the same funky breath.