If you know anything about mythology, you already know the story of Aphrodite. For those that aren’t familiar, it was said she was carried to earth on the shell of a scallop. And, thanks to this very high profile incident, scallops have been considered an aphrodisiac ever since. Unfortunately, today there isn’t much evidence to support these claims. It seems that these claims might be nothing more than folklore mystique.
A Quick Peek At The History Of Scallops
When it comes to shellfish, it is the oyster that gets all glory. This is something that is understandable, given that the oyster plays such a significant role in the history of cuisine. However, that doesn’t mean that every ingredient doesn’t have a special place on the mantel. What about the scallop? They are beautiful bivalves, but why are they such a mystery? Well, scallops are not really such a mystery anymore, but one wouldn’t know this given their popularity today. There was even a time when scallops were often considered more prized for the aesthetically-pleasing shell than their rich, sweet flavor. Today you’ll find scallops on every menu in any fine dining establishment. You’ll also find that each establishment will likely put their own spin on them as well.
It was the earliest settlers in New England that came across seafood. They discovered everything from fish to eel along with a wide variety of shellfish, including the scallop. By the time the Pilgrims arrived on the Cape in the 1600s, the Europeans had already been fishing for and enjoying the decadent pleasure that is the scallop. Wild Atlantic scallops grew prodigiously in those cold northern waters and were also inevitably harvested for food. However, at the time they weren’t really considered desirable. These people didn’t even know the true power that they were holding in their hands.
What Makes Scallops Aphrodisiacs?
There was a study conducted in 2005 that indicated that these little fruits of the sea could potentially raise sexual hormone levels in both men and women, but how exactly do they do that? To start out, these mollusks are known for providing the body with a bevy of nutrients that are vital to a healthy sex life. They boast lean protein, vitamin B12, selenium, magnesium, zinc, and potassium. All of these nutrients and vitamins have been proven useful for a healthy and active sex life. When you combine this with the fact that the flesh of the scallop is just far milder than any of the other ocean’s creatures, it is more than easy to see why they are considered so voluptuous.
If you don’t like scallops, consider other aphrodisiacs from the sea: clams, lobster, shrimp, tuna or salmon.