| January 2021
December is typically a big month for California's crab lovers. The local Dungeness crab season begins right around Thanksgiving and this once-a-year indulgence usually continues straight through the holidays. But this year's disastrous season had me thinking a lot about crab, since news of the crab season that was not yet to be continually popped into my Google phone's news feed. In case you are unfamiliar with Dungeness crab, or California food news in general, the season suffered a lengthy delay because of migrating whales. (Officials feared the gentle giants would get tangled in the crab nets.) But then, just as the season was poised to start just in time for Christmas, wholesalers lowballed the fishermen, who refused the deal. They were unable to reach an agreement until this week--about six weeks later than the typical start of the season. It was an unfortunate series of events that was tough on everyone…except the crabs! But as I followed the story, I couldn't help but think about the aphrodisiac properties of crab. Although I've written on the aphrodisiac qualities of many kinds of seafood, I've never researched crab. I thumbed a few of my favorite books on aphrodisiacs and found nothing more than recipes involving crab (but featuring other aphrodisiac ingredients like chiles or mango). Wedeck's Dictionary of Aphrodisiacs offered, "The Greeks considered them as aphrodisiacs." But that's not really much to go on, especially from a book that had three times as much to say about the aphrodisiac properties of a buttermilk bath. Though she wouldn't exactly be considered a food historian, Isabel Allende does mention crab in her book, Aphrodite. (It is, incidentally, one of my favorite books of all time. If you're interested, here is my review.) However all that she has to say about crab is that it, along with other crustaceans, is believed to have the highest aphrodisiac value. She doesn't mention here in what culture this is considered to be true. But she later references ancient Greece, so I can only assume this is once again a reference to the Greek preference for the crustacean. Since my search for historical context came up with next to nothing, I decided to take a different approach to the potential of crab as an aphrodisiac. I took a look at the nutrition facts. According to Men's Health Magazine, crab would definitely earn a gold star as a food to eat for your libido. A three ounce serving of Dungeness crab contains more than 100% of the daily value of vitamin B12. (Did you know that a B12 deficiency reduces sex drive?) It also contains over 50% of the daily value of selenium. (This nutrient is known to support good mood. Men need more than women because sperm has a high selenium content.) Crab is a good source of low fat protein, which will help with the sustained energy you need for an impressive performance in the bedroom. And it also contains 10% or more of the daily value of magnesium, potassium and zinc--all nutrients associated with a healthy sex drive and performance. So although crab may not be able to claim the folkloric history of its cousin, the lobster, I think it's safe to say that this nutrient-rich seafood earns a place among the world's best foods for sexual health. Let the crab season begin! If you're wondering what to do with Dungeness crab, we have a couple of fun recipes on Eat Something Sexy. Although if I'm being honest, I actually prefer the blue crabs of the East Coast. I like them served whole the way they do it in Maryland, smothered in Old Bay and dumped in a big pile atop a tablecloth of old newspapers.
And just for fun I've added a link to an article that may help you with a New Year's resolution you can keep. Especially when you learn how choosing organics might help your sex life! | 
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