Spice Up Your Valentine's Day

According to Merriam-Webster, an aphrodisiac is defined as “an agent (as a food or drug) that arouses or is held to arouse sexual desire; or something that excites.” On Thursday, February 7, 2013 at 6:30pm at Bazaar Spices at Union Market, Elana Jenkins of Funkiedo discussed spice and herbal aphrodisiacs and how to incorporate them into a Valentine’s Day Date Night! Elana offered fun facts and valuable insight on how to spice up Valentine’s Day.

During the discussion, Elana provide a list of spice and herb-related aphrodisiacs and offered recipes and suggestions for making food and beverage preparations to enhance Valentine’s Day. She demonstrated how to create a romantic bath for two using oatmeal and herbs. She spoke in detail about the aphrodisiac components of Sassafras, Saffron, Vanilla. Rosemary, Nutmeg, Mustard, Garlic, Coriander, Cayenne Pepper, Cinnamon, Nutmeg, and more. 

Elana talked about the relaxing effects of vanilla, for example. When one eats vanilla, it actually goes directly to your bloodstream and has a very calming effect. Most people mix vanilla in cookies or other sweets. One can even put vanilla beans in champagne glasses or infuse them in wine. Who knew!

Another interesting fact is that rose, jasmine and sandlwood are often used in Ayurvedic tradition as a love-inducing aroma. They are all considered aphrodisiacs and when you mix them together, they produce a very powerful and calming effect. They are very good for keeping the skin healthy and fresh and help to encourage long lasting beauty.  Rose calms your emotions. Elana described a recipe that calls for freezing rose petals in ice cubes and using them in drinks. One can make candied roses simply by spreading egg whites on the rose petals and sprinkling them with sugar, and put them on cupcakes. 

Yesterday’s discussion was an informative and eye-opening experience and we can’t wait for Elana and Funkiedo to come back and share more of her knowledge and expertise with us and our community.