Aphrodisiac Recipes for Males? 3 Easy Date Recipes
Dates are one of the easiest whole foods to build a quick recipe around, no cooking required for most of them. Here are three ways to use them that go beyond eating a piece straight from the box.
First, the “aphrodisiac” part
Calling a food an aphrodisiac is a marketing claim, and the evidence behind it is thin. A 2015 review of about 50 articles found that randomized clinical trial data are often lacking, and that future trials are warranted before health care practitioners can recommend most aphrodisiac products. The authors also raised concerns about drug interactions, purity and safety. If erection problems keep happening, the NHS says to see a GP or go to a sexual health clinic, as it might be a sign of a health condition that can be treated.
What dates do offer is sweetness and energy. A review of over 80 references found date flesh low in fat and protein but rich in sugars, mainly fructose and glucose, with 100 g providing an average of 314 kcal. That is why they work so well as a natural sweetener in the recipes below.
Three easy date recipes
Pitted dates stuffed with cream cheese and toasted pistachios work as a fast appetizer. Split the date lengthwise without cutting all the way through, press in a small amount of cream cheese, and top with a few crushed pistachios. You can make a plate of them ahead and keep it in the fridge until the guests arrive.
A date and banana shake is a simple way to add natural sweetness to a drink without pouring in sugar. Blend two or three pitted Mazafati dates, half a banana, a cup of milk (or a plant-based alternative) and a handful of ice. Mazafati is very soft, so it breaks down easily in the blender and the shake comes out smooth.
Date paste is worth keeping in the fridge if you bake. Simmer pitted dates in a little water until soft, then blend to a thick paste. Swap it in for some of the sugar in a banana bread or oat cookie recipe — it won’t behave exactly like white sugar, but it cuts down how much refined sugar the recipe needs and adds a caramel note.
Which dates to use
None of this requires a specific variety, though fresh rotab Mazafati is softer and blends faster than a drier kurma, so it’s the one to reach for if a recipe calls for blending rather than eating whole. Mazafati comes from Bam in Kerman province, Iran. It is dark with high moisture and needs refrigeration, and because it is cold-stored it is sold year-round. If you’re stocking up for a few of these at once, check a kedai kurma near you for what’s in stock before buying online.
This article is general information, not medical advice. Speak to a doctor about any health concern.
References
- West E, Krychman M. Natural aphrodisiacs: a review of selected sexual enhancers. Sex Med Rev. 2015;3(4):279-288. doi:10.1002/smrj.62. PubMed 27784600
- Al-Farsi MA, Lee CY. Nutritional and functional properties of dates: a review. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2008;48(10):877-887. doi:10.1080/10408390701724264. PubMed 18949591
- NHS. Erection problems (erectile dysfunction). nhs.uk