Aphrodisiac foods to get you in the mood
Chocolate tart
“ Eating simple, indulgent chocolate can certainly shift our mood the right way. Dale Pinnock ”
We're sure you don't need the excuse of Sex Week to feel loved up with your partner... but it sure does help! What better excuse for lighting some candles, unplugging the telephone and spending the evening alone with your significant other and indulging in some delicious food?
So, for a night to truly remember this Sex Week, why not cook a meal using aphrodisiac ingredients? We asked our medicinal food expert Dale Pinnock which ingredients are scientifically proven to get you in the mood for love - and one or two might come as a surprise. Dale explains why certain foods are good aphrodisiacs and we suggest some accompanying recipes to blow your date's mind...
Chocolate
Let's start with the most obvious aphrodisiac of all - good quality, high-cocoa chocolate. Not only does it taste great, it has chemicals that make us feel sexy and loved up. Dale explains: "Cacao contains the powerful chemical Phenylethylamine (PEA). This potent compound is naturally released in our brains when we fall in love. This may go a long way to explain why so many people use chocolate as a comfort food. "Cacao also contains a chemical called anandamide, which is present in our brain and is believed to enhance creativity. Eating this simple, indulgent ingredient can certainly shift our mood in the right way."
Try: Richard Phillips' dark chocolate fondant Chocolate tart Double chocolate mousse with pistachio and chilli
Also see our top ten chocolate recipes
Chilli
Chillies contain a powerful chemical called capsaicin. This is the spicy compound that gives it its burning heat. Dale tells us that this is perfect for getting us in the mood for some bedtime fun. He explains: "The chemical can enhance circulation to the extremities by widening blood vessels. It does this by causing the cells that line the inside of our blood vessels to release a chemical called nitric oxide, which causes the muscles in the vessel wall to relax. This will make sure that blood is flowing to all the right places."
Try:
Gino's mussels, tomatoes and chilli pasta
Triple chocolate chilli brownie
Pine nuts
You wouldn't think of them as a particularly sexy ingredient, but pine nuts are also a good aphrodisiac because they are high in zinc, which is vital for the production of testosterone in both men and women. Dale says: "Testosterone is the hormone that makes it all happen and is one of the key players in arousal." So, tuck in!
Try:
Bream fillets in pine nut sauce with aromatic fennel
Gizzi's butternut squash, pomegranate, pine nut and feta salad
Dean Edwards serves this baked lemon cheesecake with toasted pine nuts
Basil
The Italians are renown for being great lovers and often use this tasty herb in their cooking - so could there be a connection? Maybe. Dale says: "The essential oils in basil (responsible for its wonderful, fragrant aroma), are believed to be natural mood enhancers, adding to the feel-good factor. Anything that can elevate or relax our mood is certainly likely to improve things."
Try:
Strawberry pavlova with basil, lime and balsamic vinegar
Creamy mushroom and basil chicken
Celery
The most unlikely aphrodisiac of all! But apparently it really can help you get in the mood for love. Dale says: "This unlikely vegetable is loathed by many, but may actually be a valid part of the aphrodisiac armory. This is because it contains a chemical called androsterone, which is a naturally occurring substance, known to stimulate arousal. Who said salad was dull?"
Try:
Pesto dip with celery crudites
