Strange Historical Aprodisiacs

Since long before Eve, food and sex have been intertwined. 

So while this historical still life may seem calm and composed, don’t be fooled. At various stages of history, the foods here would have gotten people quite riled up. 

Honey has been an associated with love since at least 500BC, when Hippocrates would prescribe milk and honey to induce love and ecstasy. And according to ancient Viking traditions, honey was also a fertility booster. Newlyweds would ceremonially drink a cup of called mead before making love for the first lunar cycle of their coupling. 

From potatoes (sweet and un-sweet) to prunes, to truffles, the Elizabethan Era got quite creative around aphrodisiacs. During this era, there would be prunes in every brothel, and they were there for more than polite hospitality to the patrons’ bowels. They were believed to enhance sexual potency. Think about that the next time you see a bowl of stewed prunes! 

In Shakespeare’s The Merry Wives of Windsor, one character, Falstaff, invokes the notion that potatoes should rain down to force two lovers inside. Yep, potatoes. And though in a different botanical family, sweet potatoes were recommended to be ingested to increase sexual desire, as well. Perhaps we can invoke a new slogan: “Potatoes: as good as chocolate to get you in the mood.” See if mashed potatoes get your lover in the mood tonight. Let me know how it goes. 🧐💋😉 Happy Valentine’s day, everyone!

Food styling and photography by @thecuratedfeast. 💖 Prop styling and assistant styling by @christinaaverkin. 💖