What is the best aphrodisiac for Valentine's Day?

It's the season of love and whether you're planning to go out or create a romantic evening at home, you're going to want these tips on aphrodisiacs!

View this email in your browser February 2022 Love is in the air!   Valentine's Day is almost here and I hope you're already finding ways to enjoy the month of love. And since this is the season of love, I've chosen to feature the food that is most often considered an ideal romantic gift. I'm talking about chocolate.   Chocolate is one of the most legendary aphrodisiacs as well as one of the world's least understood food. Chocolate is so complex that we haven't even begun to understand all of its chemical compounds.   But what we do know is that chocolate is a "feel good" food and, according to a survey I did a few years back, 65% of respondents have given chocolate as a romantic gift. That's more than any culinary aphrodisiac except wine. (And who doesn't love a gift of great wine?) And speaking of wine, don't miss my article on the Best Wine for Valentine's Day or Any Romantic Occasion.    Some chocolate history   According to The Aphrodisiac Encyclopaedia, chocolate's aphrodisiac reputation began with the Mayans. In fact, it was part of Mayan wedding ceremonies. We know that Aztec ruler Montezuma also loved his chocolate. Legend has it that he drank 50 cups of a cacao drink every day to keep himself virile.   The Spanish took chocolate back to Europe and began making a sweetened drink, basically the early version of drinking chocolate or hot chocolate. At one time, it was said to be the drink of choice of French ladies of the night.   Unfortunately, chocolate, as we know it today, is loaded down with a lot of sugar and less cacao than in those early drinks. (The more cacao in chocolate, the more likely it is to offer aphrodisiac effects.)   Chocolate and sex   Today's chocolate, especially high-cacao dark chocolates, do offer a trifecta of aphrodisiac compounds, PEA, theobromine and tryptophan. I won't bore you with the details of how each affects the brain and body, since right now we need to focus on romance. But suffice it to say that chocolate has powers to lift mood, make a pulse race (or at least flutter) and dilate blood vessels.   But don't get too excited. We really don't understand exactly how much chocolate it takes to achieve a blissful state. But it's suspected that it's more than any one of us can eat in one sitting.   So instead, let's celebrate what we do understand about chocolate. This sweet temptation is undoubtedly a food of love. From the sound of a snap when you break a bar or that initial aromatic cloud of chocolatey goodness when you first open a box of truffles, to the moment it melts on the tongue, chocolate is a pleasure food.   Where to learn more   If you'd like to learn more about chocolate's potential sexual benefits, I have two articles that offer further reading. First, there's my somewhat clinically named article, Chocolate Aphrodisiac & Health Benefits. And then there's my article on why dark chocolate is one of the best foods for women's sexual health, (you're going to love this one!).   If you have any questions for me, you can always find me on twitter @forkmespoonme. And don't miss my Valentine's Day board on Pinterest.  If you don't already have a copy, be sure to download my aphrodisiac desserts book, Eat Cake Naked. You're sure to get inspiration for Valentine's Day and many romantic nights at home from this one!  Self-Saucing Chocolate Pudding get the recipe Dark Chocolate Cherry Brownies you need this Hand-rolled Dark Chocolate Truffles try the recipe Copyright © 2020 Life of Reiley, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because (I hope) you subscribed to Amy Reiley's newsletter. Your information is kept under lock and key. Our mailing address is: 9101 W Sahara Ave Suite 105-182  Las Vegas 89117 Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.