Fancy a little slap and tickle? Believe it or not, there are certain foods that may help you on your way to a wild night of passion. See our aphrodisiac recipe here.
An aphrodisiac is a food, drink or drug that can enhance sexual performance.
Named after Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of sexual love and beauty, the weird and wonderful list of sexual stimulants ranges from anchovies and asparagus to carrots and coriander.
According to ancient beliefs, if a food resembled genitalia, it was reasoned that it also possessed sexual powers.
The humble banana, for instance, due to its phallic shape has long been thought of as an aphrodisiac. However, from a nutritional viewpoint, bananas are rich in potassium and B vitamins, which are good for sex hormone production.
Asparagus is also enjoyed as an aphrodisiac food - try feeding your lover steamed spears in the evening as an appetiser. The Vegetarian Society suggests eating asparagus for three days for the most powerful effect.
It might not be the most obvious aphrodisiac, but liquorice is said to drive people wild with desire. The Chinese have used licorice since ancient times. Chewing on licorice root is believed to enhance love and lust, and thought especially stimulating for women.
Those sex-mad Romans knew a thing or two about aphrodisiacs. They prized that most loved-up of foods, the oyster. Two thousand years ago, the writer Juvenal wrote about the wanton ways of women who guzzled wine and ate huge oysters.
Shellfish, like scallops or oysters have high levels of zinc, a good mood nutrient which triggers the feel-good brain chemical serotonin. Zinc is also a vital ingredient for testosterone production, heightening sexual performance in men and women.
It's not only the food that acts as a stimulant but also the way it's eaten that counts. Strawberries and raspberries are perfect for hand-feeding your lover to get you in the mood. Also, they make a light dessert, so you won't feel bloated and lacking in energy like you do after a rich and heavy cream cake.
A glass of wine can enhance a romantic meal but be careful not to over-indulge as too much can make you too drowsy for after-dinner romance. As Shakespeare's Macbeth observed, it "provokes the desire, but it takes away the performance".
Whatever food you choose for your romantic Valentine's dinner, the most important thing to remember is not to over-indulge. After all, it's the deadly sin of lust you're seeking, not gluttony. And many believe that the mind and imagination is the most potent aphrodisiac there is.
