Strange Aphrodisiacs From Around The World

Oysters.

Chocolate.

Mushrooms.

Tiger penis?

I'm sure we've all heard about foods that are supposed to 'put us in the mood'. Whether or not what we eat has anything to do with sexual drive or prowess is debatable, but that hasn't stopped pretty much every society in the known world from viewing certain items as aphrodisiacs. Some are more, um, palatable than others. Here are some fabled libido-boosters from around the world.

• Rhino Horn. While it's not known for sure whether or not ground-up rhinoceros horn helps the libido, one thing is certain-this legend is largely responsible for the fact that the African black rhinoceros is nearly extinct. It's usually used in China and northern India as an additive to a soup. I have no idea how it tastes, but I really don't want to.
• Sea Cucumber. No, I'm not talking about those weird water-filled toys we played with as kids. This sea creature is thought to be an aphrodisiac because of its appearance as much as anything else. It's shaped like a pickle and becomes stiff and squirts liquid when it's disturbed. Remind you of anything? :) This Chinese delicacy takes a really long time to cook (days!), which is why it's usually dried before being sold in Chinese markets. When it's cooked correctly, though, it is very tender and rich in flavor. Some people like it just for the taste, with its libido-boosting properties being a charming bonus.
• Fugu. Also known as the blowfish, the fugu is one of the most deadly foods the sea has to offer. When prepared by a specially-trained Japanese chef, however, it is thought to bring about sexual arousal through the tingling sensation it causes in the lips and cheeks. Somehow the idea that something I'm eating could possibly kill me takes away any sexual desire I may have had before. That's just my opinion, though.
• Birds' Nest Soup. You won't find this Chinese delicacy on a restaurant menu any time soon. It's made from the nests of a bird called the swift, a bird that lives in caves and uses its own saliva to build its nests. It's usually soaked in water overnight, boiled and topped with sugar. Since it takes a lot of work to harvest the nets from their caves in a way that keeps them useable, this stuff is really expensive-to the tune of $100 an ounce! Although some women would be excited by the very fact that their partner is able to drop this kind of money on a food item, the jury's out on how well it works.
• Tiger Penis. Like the rhinoceros horn, the idea of a tiger's member being a libido enhancer is at least partly responsible for the near-extinction of these beautiful big cats. Mostly found in China and South Korea, it's served in a spicy soup. Say that five times fast!

As you can see, aphrodisiacs around the world take many forms. I have no idea whether any of these things actually work, but some people swear by them. As for me, I think I'll stick to chocolate! That, and black olives (also thought to be an aphrodisiac)! If you are more adventurous and try any of these things, let us know how they work for you!