Some foods are said to have aphrodisiac properties. Here are a few that you might like to serve up for dinner, or maybe not.

Asparagus

This green vegetable contains potassium, phosphorus and calcium which help maintain high energy levels. However, be careful with this one because too much asparagus increases the levels of aspartic acid which may cause apathy.

Caviar

Caviar has been considered to be an aphrodisiac primarily because it is fish eggs. All fish and their eggs were linked by the Greeks to Aphrodite,. the goddess of love.

Garlic

The Greeks, Romans and Ancient Orientals claimed that garlic was the perfect food to give lovers strength and stamina. I assume that both parties need to eat garlic for the best effect!

Honey

Ancient Greek, Roman and Persian writings record the ‘fact’ that honey is a powerful aphrodisiac. It is mentioned in detail in ‘The Perfumed Garden’ by Sheikh Nefzawi.

Oysters

Oysters are one of the most widely known aphrodisiac foods. They are rich in phosphorus and vitamin E. Oysters and their aphrodisiac effects were greatly acclaimed by Casanova who called them ‘a spur to the spirit and to love.’

Tomatoes

When tomatoes were first brought from South America to Europe, they were thought to be the forbidden fruit of the garden of Eden. They also got the nickname, ‘love apples’.

Truffles

Truffles are fungi that grow underground. Some very famous people including Rabelais, Casanova, George Sand, Napoleon and Madame Pompadour, praised the amazing aphrodisiac powers of truffles. An old French proverb warns that if you want to lead a virtuous life, you should not eat truffles.