Beyond Chocolate and Oysters

Here's one for all you lovers out there. Everyone's talking about FARMBloomington these days. (As one recent customer said "It's the only place I can buy a broom while waiting for my table.") Whether or not you've had the chance to try them out for yourself, for Valentine's Day, they list a few natural aphrodisiacs beyond the ones we've all heard about. (All the tsk tsking about what they can't mention is theirs.)

Aniseed - A very popular aphrodisiac that also has many culinary applications. It has been used as an aphrodisiac since the Greeks and the Romans, who believed aniseed had special powers. Sucking on the seeds is said to increase desire.

Arugula - Arugula or "rocket" seed has been documented as an aphrodisiac since the first century A.D. This ingredient was added to grated orchid bulbs and parsnips and also combined with pine nuts and pistachios.

Avocado - The Aztecs called the avocado tree "Ahuacuatl,” which means " XX tree." The ancients thought the fruit hanging in pairs on the tree resembled – oh dear, once again propriety prevents us from telling you. But this is a delicious fruit with a sensuous texture!

Carrots - Another good reason to eat carrots--believed to be a stimulant for the male. High in vitamins and beta-carotene.

Coriander (Cilantro seed) -The book of The Arabian Nights tells a tale of a merchant who had been childless for 40 years, but was cured by a concoction that included coriander. That book is over 1,000 years old, so the history of coriander as an aphrodisiac is a long one.

Fennel - In the 1930's, fennel was found to be a source of natural plant estrogens. But usse of fennel as an aphrodisiac dates back to the Egyptian times where it was used as "libido enhancement."

Nutmeg - Nutmeg was highly prized by Chinese women as an aphrodisiac. In quantity, nutmeg can produce a hallucinogenic effect.

Mustard - Believed to stimulate and increase desire.

Pineapple - Rich in vitamin C and is used in the homeopathic treatment for impotence. Add a spear to a sweet Rum drink for a tasty prelude to an evening of passion.

Pine Nuts - Zinc is a key mineral necessary to maintain “virility” and pine nuts are rich in zinc. Pine nuts have been used to stimulate the libido as far back as medieval times.

Vanilla - The scent and flavor of vanilla is believed to increase lust.