On Valentine’s Day it’s nice to go out to eat somewhere special. Indulge a little and forget the diet and no-carbs approach. Now’s the time to give in to a few cravings. Some foods are said to be more romantic than others, so we’ve asked some culinary experts to reveal their perfect aphrodisiac foods for Valentine’s Day 2020.
Aphrodisiac Foods that’ll Get You in the Mood For Love this Valentines Day
Top 5 Aphrodisiac Foods for Valentine’s Day
We asked Julian Saipe from Zafferano to give us his top foods for Valentine’s Day. Some of these foods might surprise you!
Avocados
With their sensuous shape and succulent green flash, avocados have been considered a sexual stimulant since 200bc. Whether it’s their high levels of vitamin E that help your skin look youthful, or even something as simple as their rich flavor, this pear shaped fruit is a must have on Valentines Day.
Chilli
Eating chilli this Valentines will stimulating your nerve endings and release endorphins which promote sexual flushes throughout the body. Even the great Aztec Emperor Montezuma drank chocolate and chillies daily in preparation for his visits to his concubines. Raising both your the body temperature and heartbeat, a mere pinch of chile pepper could get you in the mood on the 14th.
Oysters
Rich in zinc, oysters help to boost testosterone levels and stimulate sexual desire in both sexes. In Casanova’s well known biography ‘The Story of My Life’, he claimed he ate 50 oysters a day to maintain his high libido and energy. However, cooking them drastically reduces their aphrodisiac properties, so for the more effective romantic result, they must be eaten raw.
Almonds
With an aroma said to arose the female passion, almonds are rich in vitamin E that will promote your sexual health. By toasting almonds, the smell let off can make both sexes, especially women, feel in the mood for love. They’re also rich in omega-3 fats, a fatty acid known for its ability to increase healthy libido and fertility.
Figs
Being Cleopatra’s favourite food, figs were more precious than gold to the ancient Greeks for their romantic results. This soft plump fruit is packed full of fibre and iron, minerals said to improve your skin and health. So maybe eating figs as your dessert this Valentines Day could make your day even better.
Valentine’s Day faux pas
Of course, you don’t want to kill any romance stone dead by eating the wrong foods. Here’s the foods you may need to avoid when getting in the mood for love on the 14th.
Garlic
Heavy on the breath, garlic may be small, but it can have a big effect on your romantic evening. This cloved vegetable can cause bad breath, which can make you less desirable to kiss. However, if your love for garlic cannot be quashed, this potent smell can easily be removed by a mouthwash or a mint.
Spinach
Yes, this green leaf can get stuck in your teeth and yes, you will want to run off to the loo to be checking you look okay. So if you want an exercise free evening, we suggest keeping away from spinach on Valentines Day.
Spaghetti
Despite being a delicious staple food, when slurped, spaghetti can get everywhere. We’ve all been there. To avoid getting passata residue on your chin, be careful how you eat this well loved slippery friend. We suggest you cut up the pasta or twirl it around your fork for a mess free evening.
Sharing Foods
Chef Peter Mundy who works at the private country house The Manor in Somerset likes the idea of ‘sharing plates’ with plenty of delicious tastes of different things. He has the following suggestions for couples…
Tasting of citrus fruits – Lemon posset, orange and passion fruit tart, grapefruit bavarois and iced lemon parfait.
A chocolate sharing platter – Belgium chocolate and white chocolate fondue, with a platter of marshmallows, exotic fruits, meringue, chocolate brownie and heart shaped sable biscuits.
Homemade Food for Romance
“When it comes to Valentine’s Day, a little thought goes a long way,” says John Hearn from food experts Tapenade. “Think about your partner and what he or she likes. It doesn’t have to be a grand gesture, but making it more personal is sure to earn you lots of brownie points!”
“Why not take to the kitchen yourself and cook up a feast? It will offer a more relaxed atmosphere and is likely to work out more cost effective than going out to a restaurant. You could recreate the very first meal you cooked for your partner. It will bring back memories for the both of you and hopefully take you back to the first flush of romance.”
So really, there are no set rules. To get in the mood for love, take note of the foods suggested by our experts but remember to relax – and if you end up cooking your boyfriend’s favourite dish in your own kitchen then that’s fine.
The important thing is that you enjoy your evening together. And who knows – you could end up using one of these super-romantic foods in your wedding breakfast!
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