Cherries are considered a sensual and sexually symbolic food in many cultures.
Food and sexuality have been associated in various ways throughout history. Foods such as chocolate and oysters are said to be aphrodisiacs.[1][2] In some cultures animal testicles and other items are consumed to increase sexual potency.[3] Food items also provide symbolism, such as the biblical "forbidden fruit" or the cherry with its associations related to virginity. Food items are also used metaphorically in slang sexual terminology and poetry. Some foods are considered sensual for their appearance, texture and taste. Whipped cream, melted chocolate, jam, miso, cake batter, pies, and peanut butter are sometimes used for intimate titillation in an act known as sploshing. The relationship between food and sex has also been explored in books and cinema.
The Black Series by Argentinian collective Mondongo uses cookies and biscuits to create pornographic images.
The connection between food and sexuality has been explored in various art works. A 1998 art show, Reflect, an exhibition of works by Monali Meher explored connections and themes including voyeurism, stereotypes, consumerism, freedom and advertising.[4] A display of food and sex related artworks from 19th- and 20th-century American artists was one of 16 concept groupings at a New York Historical Society show in 1991.[5]
In sociology and anthropology
Tasting food, tasting freedom by Sidney Wilfred Mintz includes essays taking "an anthropological view of food, including its relationship to power, freedom, and purity."[6]Food and Sex is also a chapter in Breaking the food seduction by Neal D. Barnard, Joanne Stepaniak.[7] and a topic discussed in Women's conflicts about eating and sexuality by Rosalyn M. Meadow and Lillie Weiss.[8]
Chocolate aphrodisiac controversy
Although some foods do qualify as aphrodisiacs, and chocolate has been thought to be an aphrodisiac for many years, there is some controversy surrounding whether it truly is an aphrodisiac. A study conducted by Salonia et al. (2006)[9] evaluated the sexual function of women who reported that they ate chocolate daily, and women who reported they did not eat chocolate. The study concluded that once scores were adjusted for age, there were no significant differences in the sexual arousal, satisfaction, desire or distress of those who ate chocolate daily and those who did not. This illustrates that the consumption of chocolate has no effect on sexual function. Likewise, Shamloul (2010)[10] concluded that there is little scientific evidence suggesting that natural aphrodisiacs are an effective method of enhancing sexual desire or performance, nor are they an effective treatment of sexual dysfunction. On the contrary, some studies suggest that chocolate is an aphrodisiac and claim that its chemical components such as phenylethylamine, causes an increase in pleasure and sexual drive and N-acylethanolamines, causes an increase in sensitivity and euphoria (Afoakwa, E. 2008).[11] Other studies suggest it is the flavinoids and serotonin found in chocolate that regulate vasoconstriction and dilation and increase female genital functioning, and thus sexual functioning (Shamloul, 2010).[12] Due to these conflicting views, and the lack of scientific evidence currently available, it is clear that firm conclusions cannot be drawn on whether chocolate is an aphrodisiac.
Some foods are visually symbolic and act as metaphors for body parts involved in sexual relations. Some food items are phallic; symbolic of masculinity, potency and fertility. Perhaps the most iconic phallic food is banana. An iconic popular culture example is the record sleeve design by Andy Warhol for the album The Velvet Underground & Nico (1967). Another phallic food is sausage or hot dog. The film Sausage Party (2016) makes use of this symbolism. Other phallic food examples include carrot, corn, cucumber, eggplant and zucchini. Some food items are yonic; symbolic of femininity, receptivity and fertility. Examples include fig, oyster, papaya, peach and pomegranate. Some food items are symbolic of breasts, like apple, melon and orange. And some food items are symbolic of buttocks, like peach. The gay film Call Me by Your Name (2017) famously sexualizes the peach through an analogy with homosexual male desire. When it comes to the use of emojis on social media, the most commonly used food-related emojis that have a sexual connotation are the eggplant emoji to refer to penis and the peach emoji to refer to buttocks. These usages are very popular because on social media platforms and dating apps, people may prefer to use metaphor rather than explicit words, and food emojis enable this because they are visually suggestive without being graphic.
Surrealism, psychoanalysis and feminist criticism are the main frameworks through which such readings of sexual connotation became codified. Food symbolism often works through a combination of shape and gestures - eating, cutting, handling, peeling, wobbling. Many iconic uses are deliberately comic, excessive or ironic, especially in modern cinema and pop art.
↑Salonia, A. (2006). "ORIGINAL RESEARCH - WOMEN'S SEXUAL HEALTH: Chocolate and Women's Sexual Health: An Intriguing Correlation". The Journal of Sexual Medicine. 3 (3): 476–482. doi:10.1111/j.1743-6109.2006.00236.x. PMID16681473.
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