FRUITS

Apricot
Plump, pungent flavored apricots are considered a symbol of a sensual nature by the ancient Chinese.

Banana
Its shape, its sweet, soft flesh and its creamy, lush texture all contribute to this fruit's reputation as an awakener of sexual feelings. Colette writes in her novel, Claudine, "bananas are sheer heaven, like eating Liberty velvet." And if there was a woman who knew the power of food and seduction, it was the French writer, Colette. Some in medicine
have attributed the high content of chelating minerals and an enzyme called bromelain in bananas as an aid in boosting male erectile efficiency but much research needs to be done before a definite conclusion can be reached. We do suggest you contact a physician regarding any serious erectile dysfunction.

Peach
The Chinese have long associated the peach with ripe sexuality. Its red blush color, silken fuzzy skin, juicy flesh and aroma make it a natural choice. Take a peek at Edouard Manet's once controversial painting, Dejeuner sur l'Herbe, and while your eye will first turn to look at the beautiful nude woman sitting next to the two clothed scholars, you will also notice the succulent peaches and other fruits she has brought to this very sensuous picnic. Everything that is ripe, sensual and arousing, the artist has placed in her corner of the painting. Very stimulating.

Pears
One only has to think of the scene in the movie adapted from Henry Fielding's novel, Tom Jones, to know the erotic appeal of pears. Mrs. Waters, seductress/cook, is seated across the table from young Mr. Jones, their feet entertwined, gazing into each other's eyes, exchanging morsels of food while wanton juices from the pears they are devouring drip down their chins ... truly a sensual food setting.

Figs
Espoused to be Cleopatra's favorite fruit, the Ancient Greeks celebrated the arrival of a new crop of figs by ritual copulation. (Many believe that the shape of fresh, ripe figs resemble female genitalia: you decide.) Figs usually ripen midsummer so mark your calendar to celebrate the fig harvest with your lover!

Grapes
"Beulah, peel me a grape!" - Mae West's famous line in the film, She Done Him Wrong. Grapes are thought to be the oldest fruit and their reputation as an aphrodisiac seems to be as old. For the morning after, a fruit plate including a bunch of firm and juicy green and red grapes will start his morning off right. Use your imagination on how you want to eat them. Pop one halfway in your mouth and press your lips close to his to share or let lust enhance your creativity in how you serve it up!

Papaya
This fruit bespeaks passion! Its musky fragrance and sweet, succulent flesh is a tropical delight. The small glistening black seeds encased in the fruit resemble another food touted as an aphrodisiac, caviar. If he likes it a little exotic, let him nibble on this.

Oranges
Orange blossoms are symbol of virginity and purity. "Reclaim" your virginity, surprise him with a bouquet of orange blossoms and a sweet note, tempt him with a refreshing plate of orange slices marinated in Grand Marnier and dipped in chocolate. Then wait for him to seduce you all over again! Age old customs tell us that lovers who bathe in orange scented water after the first time they make love will have a long and lust-filled union. Try it!

Asparagus
Firm, long tender stalks evoke erotic images in one's mind. Bert Greene writes that in nineteenth century France, convention degreed that a bridegroom's prenuptial dinner contain at least three courses of warm asparagus because of its reputed aphrodisiac powers!

Carrots
This root vegetable with its phallic shape is truly erotic. Early Middle Eastern royalty regarded the carrot to be a significant aid in seduction and enjoyed it often. Grown deep in the earth this vegetable inspires his deepest, most private fantasies. Either raw or cooked, this vegetable can ignite his passion to incomparable excess! Chinese
Proverb: Those who constantly eat vegetable roots can do anything.

Cucumbers
One of the most fun and playful vegetables. It doesn't take much thought to realize why it's included as an aphrodisiac. It's phallic shape and firm texture make it a natural.

Caviar
This expensive, egg shaped food has earned itself a reputation as a stimulantof sexual desire. Serve it chilled with toast points. You may serve it with minced onions, lemon wedges and chopped hard-cooked egg but if it's a good caviar a garnish is unnecessary.

Oysters
This may be the best known of aphrodisiacs. Some see a resemblance to a woman's most private parts and are drawn to savor the tasty creature. Others delight in the texture of the ever sexually changing mollusk, which has spent its life alternating between female and male. Serve them in the raw (uncooked, in the half shell) or try a new recipe.

Truffles
An air of mystery has always surrounded the truffle. The fragrant muskiness of the truffle and its rarity keeps it on top of any list of aphrodisiacs. Paula Wolfert tells of a famous saying about truffles, "Those who wish to lead virtuous lives had better abstain." "Whoever says 'truffle' utters a great word which arouses erotic and gastronomic memories among the skirted sex and memories gastronomic and erotic among the bearded sex." Brillat-Savarin, 1825 Although these jet black nuggets of incredible flavor are quite expensive, a small amount goes a long way. Learn the secret of the lusty French and for that special occasion go ahead and splurge.

Chocolate
Valentine's Day is a time when the gifts of chocolates are given or received, ever perpetuating chocolate's reign as a part of wooing our lover. It's designation as an aphrodisiac remains basically undisputed for centuries. Chocolate has long been purported to have such a intense ability to increase the sexual appetite, this apparently causing it to
be banned from some monasteries a few centuries ago.

Champagne
A symbol of luxury and celebrations, champagne is viewed as "the drink of love." There is a saying that whiskey makes a girl stop arguing, beer soothes her, gin disarms her, rum cajoles her and champagne arouses her.
Champagne has proven to be a lavish tool to stimulate lust in one's lover!