What’s an aphrodisiac you might ask? It’s a food or drink that stimulates sexual desire. It originates from the Greek word, aphrodisiakon and also pertains to the Greek goddess, Aphrodite, who is the Goddess of Love.
Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or just looking to spice things up in the bedroom, here are six aphrodisiac and wine pairings to make “spicy-time” a little more interesting.
Fair warning: if you are uncomfortable with the topic of sex, I highly encourage you to click away from this post!
Asparagus + Sauvignon Blanc
There is no question when it comes to this pairing. Sauvignon Blanc has flavors and aromas of asparagus, which is why this wine pairs so well with asparagus (wrap it in some prosciutto for an amazing appetizer). Asparagus increases blood and oxygen flow to the genitals as well as increases sex hormone production due to the potassium found in it. Asparagus can also make your urine smell kind of funky, but it seems like a small price to pay for the great benefits it has.
Oysters + Muscadet
I mean the obvious would be to pair oysters with Champagne, but let’s think a little outside the box here. Muscadet is a white wine high in acidity with lots of citrusy flavors as well as aromas of apple and pear. It’s a wine that is delicious with oysters— a natural aphrodisiac. Oysters have high levels of zinc and zinc is known to increase the production of testosterone and sperm. Maybe only try this one out if you’re trying to have a baby. Oysters are delicious and different varieties have different flavors. Just like grapes!
Figs + Zinfandel
Hear me out on this pairing. I actually really like figs and Zinfandel together. If you add a little cheese to this mix, the flavors really dance in your mouth (think Remy from Ratatouille). Zinfandel is usually jammy, which complements the figs beautifully. On top of that, figs have lots of amino acids. Amino acids are said to increase stamina, which can help you out in the bedroom. Is that really true? I don’t know, but it doesn’t hurt to try.
Ginger + Gewürztraminer
I bet you weren’t expecting to find ginger on this list. Ginger is found in a lot of Asian dishes and can be combined with aromatic, spicy flavors. Gewürztraminer is a great pairing because of its ginger aromas and its ability to pair with spicy dishes. Not only does ginger help with digestion; it also helps increase blood flow to your sex organs. If you plan to engage in back-door activities, this is definitely the aphrodisiac for you.
Watermelon + Rosé
An interesting aphrodisiac is watermelon which is said to increase blood vessel relaxation as well as increase blood flow and sexual arousal. I love pairing watermelon with Rosé. Something about the sweetness of watermelon really pairs well with the acidity of the Rosé. It’s the perfect summertime (and sexy-time) pairing. Next time you think about getting spicy, try snacking on some watermelon beforehand and see how it works out.
Chocolate + Pinot Noir
Of course I couldn’t forget about chocolate. I really love chocolate and Pinot Noir together. Some may say that you shouldn’t pair bitter chocolate with wine, but that’s a preference call. I think that Pinot Noir can be a bit earthy sometimes and that the dark chocolate kind of brings out the fruit flavors and aromas. Chocolate boosts serotonin levels (the feel-good hormone), which is a plus in the bedroom. If you want to spice things up, I hear chocolate syrup is fun as long as you have extra towels handy.
