Oysters: #1 most popular aphrodisiac food

When most people think "aphrodisiac foods," oysters are usually the first thing that comes to mind. Casanova himself famously ate 50 raw oysters for breakfast every day in the hopes that they would help keep his stamina going. (So he claimed in his memoirs, at any rate. Personally, I'm skeptical of this, but I'll let it go.)

How much science is involved in establishing the aphrodisiac power of a given food? Precious little. Or in the case of oysters, almost none. (Although researchers have found that raw oysters contain a rare amino acid that can trigger increased levels of sex hormones, this link is a tenuous one at best.)

If you want to be technical about it, oysters as an aphrodisiac is an example of sympathetic magic, a form of magical thinking that is based on perceived similarities. For example, people consider powdered rhino horn to be a cure for erectile dysfunction because of the perceived similarity between a rhino horn and...you know.

In the case of oysters, this is a rare example of an aphrodisiacal similarity to female genitalia. And I get that, but also oysters are also cold, rubbery, and wet. As a female, it always makes me wonder, "What kind of girls have you been dating, if that's what oysters remind you of?

I've just ruined oysters for you, haven't I? So sorry. Best not to think about it. Down the hatch!

If you want to serve raw oysters at home, your best bet is to buy them from a reputable market, and ask them to shuck the oysters for you. Once they have been shucked, they will need to be eaten within a few hours. Serve them on ice on the half shell, and enjoy!

(Incidentally, chili peppers are also considered an aphrodisiac food, because they increase blood circulation. If you want to give your meal a double kick, serve your oysters with a dash of hot sauce. Delicious!)

Image courtesy Flickr/Peri Apex