The next time you eat an exotic bowl of soup, you might be consuming ingredients that will help get you in the mood. Around the world, there are different ideas for aphrodisiacs that go beyond a bottle of wine and box of chocolates. In this article, you will encounter a few mood-enhancing foods eaten in different parts of the world, such as Southeast Asia.
Soup #5
In Southeast Asia, some people rely on not Chanel #5, but something called Soup #5 (also referred to as Soup Number Five) to attract the opposite sex and get in the mood. The penis and testicles of the bull are made into a soup consisted of carrots, onions, and broth that originated as a part of Filipino cuisine. The dish is popular because of its supposed aphrodisiac powers. Before adding the bull parts to the vegetables, they are thoroughly scrubbed and scalded in boiling water. While some aphrodisiacs are considered harmful, this soup does not pose a threat to your health. So, the next time you want to feel ‘strong like a bull,’ consider Soup #5.
Bird’s Nest Soup
You may never look at a bird’s nest the same again when you hear about the Asian delicacy that costs big bucks to make. Bird’s nest soup is made with the nests constructed with the saliva of the swiftlet birds, which live in caves. The nests are edible and form along the cave walls. The nests are extremely hard to get a hold of ”“ even when experienced cave-wall climbers attempt to collect. For centuries, the soup has been served to members of royalty and other important people. The soup also has a reputation for stirring the libido.
Served during special occasions as well, the soup is known as one of the most expensive dishes based on animal parts or animal related matter in the world. The largest importers of the nests for the soup are Hong Kong and the Unites States. A bowl of the soup can cost $30 to $100 in Hong Kong. To get an idea on just how profitable it is to obtain the bird’s nest ”“ a kilogram of white nest can cost up to $2,000, while a kilogram of red nests can cost up to $10,000.
Shark Fin Soup
There are some people that will plunge into the deep waters in search of a dangerous shark so that they can kill to make their coveted shark fin soup ”“ thought to possess intriguing aphrodisiac properties. The soup has become so popular that it has put a serious dent in the shark population surrounding Asian waters. The soup dates back to the Ming Dynasty in China, where it was dubbed ‘one of the eight treasured foods from the sea.’