Ever looked at a humble potato and thought, “Hmm, sexy”? Probably not! But throughout history, long before dating apps and romantic comedies, people turned to the kitchen pantry for a little help in the love department. Many everyday foods we munch on without a second thought were once whispered about as powerful aphrodisiacs. Get ready to see your grocery list in a whole new light as we uncover ten totally normal foods that once had a reputation for spicing things up!
10. Beans
The mighty bean, a staple in countless diets today and grown for thousands of years, had a rather racy reputation back in early modern England (that’s roughly the 16th to 18th centuries). Forget their association with musical moments; back then, beans were thought to boost a man’s… well, enthusiasm.
How did they get this idea? It came down to a curious belief. Foods that caused flatulence, charmingly called “windy meats,” were thought to help men. People believed the air that caused gas also helped men get ready for intimacy. So, if a gentleman was having a bit of trouble, beans and peas might have been on the menu!
9. Mustard
Mustard, known for its spicy kick, was another food thought to heat things up, literally and figuratively. That tingle you feel comes from the mustard plant’s defense mechanism. It releases compounds that irritate pests. For humans, this “bite” was linked to passion.
People have enjoyed this sensation since ancient times. Even the Romans grew mustard widely. Later, when monastic communities popped up across Europe, some monks took over mustard production. However, other groups of monks believed mustard was an aphrodisiac. Not wanting any distractions from their devout lives, many of these monks banned themselves from eating or even making the condiment!
8. Potatoes
While some monks avoided aphrodisiacs, others were eager to try them. This is even reflected in Shakespeare’s play, The Merry Wives of Windsor. The character John Falstaff, a bit of a clumsy romantic, exclaims, “Let the sky rain potatoes!”
He wasn’t wishing for a downpour of spuds. In the 16th and 17th centuries, potatoes were widely believed to have aphrodisiac qualities. Falstaff was actually asking for success with the ladies. He was likely thinking of sweet potatoes, which were known in Europe longer than the white potatoes from America.
7. Carrots
Many of us heard as kids that carrots help you see in the dark. But the ancient Greeks and Romans heard something very different! Carrots, like many vegetables with a suggestive shape, were thought to be an aphrodisiac that could loosen people’s inhibitions if they ate enough.
This belief was widespread in ancient times. The Roman emperor Caligula, known for his wild lifestyle, apparently believed in the carrot’s power. It’s said he once made the Senate eat carrots so they’d become overwhelmed by desire and embarrass themselves. Roman soldiers also sometimes prepared a carrot broth for women they captured.
6. Eggplant
Using this fruit (yes, it’s a fruit!) as a stand-in for certain body parts isn’t a new idea, and it didn’t start with emojis. Its suggestive shape was noted in Korean literature and Japanese haiku. Beliefs about its power to stir desire have appeared throughout history in Asia, Africa, and Europe. In 16th-century France, it was even called “pomme d’amour,” or “love apple.”
But its looks probably weren’t the only reason. Eggplants are in the same family as deadly nightshade, which is very toxic and can have strong effects. Because of this connection, many cultures thought eggplants must have side effects too. Besides being an aphrodisiac, eggplants were sometimes thought to increase appetite, cause fevers, drive people mad, or even cause leprosy!
5. Parsnips
If you’ve ever had honey-glazed parsnips, you might not realize you were eating what used to be a luxury food. In ancient Rome, wealthy folks enjoyed sweetened parsnips. Emperor Tiberius was said to be particularly fond of them. The story goes he liked them so much after trying them in Germany that he had parsnips imported and even accepted them as tribute from Germanic tribes.
But the taste might not have been the only thing Romans enjoyed. Like carrots, their shape may have reminded people of something else, leading them to be considered aphrodisiacs. This wasn’t just a Roman idea. In 17th-century England, parsnips were among many foods thought to help in the bedroom and could be recommended to married couples.
4. Almonds
Parsnips were once used to sweeten dishes, but sugar eventually took over. Sugar is great for coating smaller treats, like almonds. This gives us Jordan almonds, those candy-coated nuts often seen at weddings. It’s no surprise they’re linked to weddings, actually.
In many Middle Eastern countries, almonds are considered an aphrodisiac. This is party why Jordan almonds are given to newlyweds in some cultures. The way they’re presented is symbolic too. They’re often given in bags of five because five is an indivisible number. Each almond represents a wish for the couple: health, children, wealth, long life, and happiness.
3. Coconuts
Cocoa has a long history as a desire-booster, and many still believe it today. Coconuts, however, haven’t usually shared that reputation. But surprisingly, evidence suggests they were seen as an aphrodisiac in medieval Germany! Despite what you might see in movies like Monty Python and the Holy Grail, coconuts were indeed found across Europe in medieval times.
Imported from India, they were especially popular in England. They were used in medicine, but mostly people wanted their shells to make cups and goblets. Being exotic, it’s no wonder they were thought to have magical powers. Besides sparking desire, coconuts were also believed to detect poison.
2. Lettuce
For ancient Egyptians, lettuce wasn’t just a simple salad green. It held a special place in their society, so much so that they painted it on tomb walls over 4,000 years ago! It’s even mentioned in myths about their gods. Lettuce was said to be the food of Min, the Egyptian god of fertility. In paintings, Min is usually shown as, let’s say, “ready for action,” and Egyptians believed lettuce helped him stay that way.
Why lettuce? Like other supposed aphrodisiacs, it was about how it looked. It grows straight, tall, and strong. When a piece of Romaine lettuce is broken, a white, milky liquid comes out. While it’s debatable if it truly enhances bedroom performance, lettuce is rich in vitamin A, which is good for the reproductive system in both men and women.
1. Beer
Why did people think certain foods were aphrodisiacs? It could be the placebo effect – if you believe it works, it might seem to! It’s also possible that having enough food, in general, boosts desire, as seen in other species. However, science today only supports one commonly consumed substance having a link to arousal: alcohol.
But beer’s aphrodisiac effect might have been stronger in the past. Before the 18th century, European beer was flavored with a mix of herbs called gruit, not hops. Gruit sometimes included stimulant herbs, leading to beer being considered an aphrodisiac. Hops, which eventually replaced gruit almost everywhere, were thought to have the opposite effect, calming desires instead.
It’s funny to think how our views on food have changed! While science today might chuckle at the idea of beans or lettuce being powerful love potions, these beliefs tell us a lot about history. People have always looked for ways to add a little extra spark to life. These tales of everyday foods and their once-lusty reputations are a charming reminder of that very human desire.
What do you think of these historical aphrodisiacs? Did any of these food facts surprise you? We’d love to hear your thoughts. Leave your comment below and share the food fun!
