The word aphrodisiac is magical. The mere sound invokes sensual images of lips kissing grapes and tongues on the tips of strawberries. The exotic feel of the word, as it rolls off the tongue, is almost an aphrodisiac in itself, caressing the mouth with its soft vowels and strange consonants. And the power behind the word, the thought that a bite of a certain food or sip of a certain drink can hold sexual sway over a lover, is intoxicating.
InterCourses, An Aphrodisiac Cookbook by Martha Hopkins and Randall Lockridge, is one book that pays proper homage to its subject. Colorful and beautifully put together, the book weaves through different aphrodisiacs with historical information, couple commentary, and most importantly, pages and pages of delectable recipes.
Chocolate, asparagus, chiles, coffee, basil, grapes, strawberries, honey, artichokes, black beans, oysters, rosemary, edible flowers, pine nuts, avocado, libations and figs. The list of aphrodisiacs serenaded within the pages is in itself a sensual chant. Each food has an entire section dedicated to its sexual powers. Take for instance, Basil. Basil, we are told, is considered the royal herb of the Greeks and the sacred herb of India. And who can resist the smell and taste of truly fresh basil - crushed gently between the fingertips, it is simultaneously stimulating and intoxicating. Or take a look at the section on Oysters (I couldn't resist), in which the writers explain that while oysters may remind us of certain body parts, they are also loaded with zinc, "a key ingredient to testosterone production and, hence, sexual performance of both genders." (p. 79)
A personal touch to the book is the addition of the commentary by couples who have tried some of the recipes. My favorite is the poem about coffee (p. 30).
"the buttery-brown liquid
our porch.
Reminded me of his perfect
our swing.
Skin as I sat sandy-eyed
his bathrobe, my cup.
And blissful on our porch."
Of course, my favorite thing about the cookbook is the wide collection of recipes. Rifling through the delectable dishes causes one to salivate in anticipation. Tomato-basil soup, cabernet sauvignon ice, lemon-pepper shrimp and strawberry salad, honey-nut pie, artichoke and scallop kebabs, ravioli of fresh flowers...the list goes on and on.
An interesting touch is the map of the human body, with different recipes that go well on different erogenous zones. The petals in white chocolate served on your lover's belly would make for a very sexy picture and an even better taste. The topping from the black Russian cake is perfect to use as body paint.
There is also a section on mixing your own massage oils and lotions, advice on complete menus that fit with every stage of a relationship, and suggestions for the best recipes in the perfect seasons.
The look of the book is as stimulating as its content. Photographs of people wearing different types of food -the round bottom covered in chocolate sauce, or the attractive man with a bushel of grapes strapped to his back - augment the foods and recipes, and make for a visually stimulating experience.
I highly recommend InterCourses. Whether you love to cook, love to eat, or love to spend time between the sheets, this book is perfect.
InterCourses is $24.95 (hardback), available at Amazon.com starting at $3.00 used!
Intercourses: an aphrodisiac cookbook. Terrace Publishing, Memphis Tennessee: 1997
Article originally published August 2005 - "Sultry, Sexy Summer"