Thursday, February 10. 2000
The University Daily Kansan
Section B · Page 3
Some foods may sweeten after-dinner trea
Benefits of aphrodisiacs based in lore
By BriAnne Hess
writer@kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
Viagra wasn't the first attempt by man to increase virility and sexual desire. Ancient love manuals from India and China claimed some foods affected one's sexual drive.
But what really works? Alex Fraser, Lawrence doctoral student, said an aphrodisiac was anything that increased sexual desire or performance. Foods that possessed these qualities were divided into two main categories.
The first category was the doctrine of similarities, Fraser said. If the food looked like something that brought sex to mind, it was usually labeled an aphrodisiac. Fraser supplied examples such as the mandrake root and ginseng which resemble phalluses, and the tomato, which resembles the female breast and is red and engorged.
The second category of foods provided nutrition or energy, Fraser said. She cited ancient Chinese and Indian love manuals that prescribed drinks of milk and honey, which Fraser said was essentially a protein shake.
Sandra Gray, associate pro
fessor of anthropology, said she normally gave an aphrodisiac foods lecture to her Introduction to Human Nutrition class on Valentine's Day. She said she focused on the nutritional values of foods that are spicy and sweet and why they would serve those kinds of foods in a brothel.
Fraser said most of the literature on women that involved sexual organs was about fertility instead of sexual arousal and birth control pills were probably one of the most effective oral aphrodisiacs for women today.
"Man is usually who the food aphrodisiac was designed for instead of for the women,
Jason Williams/KANSAr
Valentine's Menu
which is interesting," Fraser s a i d . "Apparently they weren't too interested in pleasing the women."
1) Organic spring greens with dressing of choice
2) Linguine with Spicy Thai Sauce
3) Orange You Gonna Kiss Me Martini
3) Chocolate covered strawberries
Fraser said powdered rhinoceros horn, which is made of the protein
from a 16th century Arab erotic manual, The Perfumed Garden,
made her laugh it was so ridiculous.
"It said a member of the Abou el Heiloukh has remained erect without a break for 30 days because he did eat onions," Fraser said.
"Food has a sensual component. But the best aphrodisiac is the human mind."
The manual then explained the onions were cooked with
keratin and looks like a phallus, was so sought after that it threatened the rhinoceros population.
Alex Fraser Lawrence doctoral student
"There was even a story in a natural history museum where they had problems with people going up to their stuffed rhinoceros and sawing the horn off," Fraser said. "They placed a stuffed rhinon horn on the animal and it was sawed off, too." One story Fraser recalled
meat and then the onion juice was boiled with honey. Fraser said she didn't recommend this tactic to anyone, and the claim was probably
based on the strength of the onions which suggested potency. Fraser said the following foods had extensive aphrodisiac lore:
Seafood is high in protein but also high in Vitamin E which renews tissue. The underlying idea is that it will keep up a man's potency.
Fraser said the reference to oysters as Venus on the half shell could be attributed to its
similarity to female genitalia and its nutritional value. Oysters are high in protein but also high in the minerals selenium, which is a mood booster, and zinc, which is essential for prostate health and the metabolism.
- Spicy foods attack the sympathetic nervous system, so eyes and nose run and blood rushes to the mouth. The rush of endorphins is similar to that created during sexual arousal.
Alcohol in small amounts lowers inhibitions and works as a relaxant. Fraser said alcohol in large quantities was definitely not conducive to positive sexual experiences.
Barbara Shortridge, assistant professor of geography, said her Urban Geography class discussed foods that were normally considered aphrodisiac. The students listed foods they had heard were aphrodisiascs strawberries, chocolate, aspiragus, black olives, alcoholic beverages and nuts.
Good food had been a prelude to sex for centuries, Fraser said.
"Food has a sensual component," Fraser said, "But the best aphrodisiac is the human mind."
Martini
Makes 2
Makes 2
3 oz. Absolut Vodka
2 oz. white Creme de Cacao
1 oz. Cointreau
2 Hershey's Kisses (wrapped or unwrapped)
Twist of orange zest
Unsweetend cocoa powder
Dampen just the rim of martini glass with Coitreau. Turn the glass upside down and carefully dip it into a bowl of cocoa powder to frost the rim. Place a Hershey's Kiss in the bottom of the glass. In a shaker combine vodka, Creme de Cacao and Coitreau with crushed ice. Shake well and carefully strain into the martini glass. Garnish with orange zest. Source: http://www.foodies.com
Jason Williams/KANSAN
Linguine (serves 4)
12 oz. lingine. uncooked
2 oz. fresh medium shrimp,
peeled and deveined, or 12 oz.
small frozen shrimp, thawed
3 red bell peppers, seeds and stems removed, cutinto bite-size, thin strips 3 small cheese, thick sliced
3 scallons, mildly shear
2 Tbs. smooth peanut butter
1 Tbs. sesame oil
1/2 cup chicken broth or water
1/2 cup. crushed red pepper flakes
1 jalapeño pepper, stemmed,
seeded and thinly sliced
1/2 tsp. ground ginger
1 tsp. mild white vinegar
Prepare lingueine. While noodles are cooking, combine remaining ingredients in a saucepan and place over low heat. Cover and simmer until the sauce is smooth and the shrimp is cooked through, about 2 minutes. When lingueine is done, drain well and transfer to a large bowl. Add sauce and toss gently until well combined. Serve immediately. Source: http://www.ilovepasta/Noodles_Thai_Shrimp_Sauce.html
Jason Williams/KANSAN
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