Food and sexuality
From The Art and Popular Culture Encyclopedia
Illustration: The Birth of Venus (detail), a 1486 painting by Sandro Botticelli
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Food and sexuality have been associated in various ways throughout history. Foods such as chocolate and oysters are said to be aphrodisiacs. In some cultures animal testicles and other items are consumed to increase sexual potency. Food items also provide symbolism, such as the apple in the bible as "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, strawberries, and peanut butter are sometimes used for intimate titillation. The relationship between food and sex has also been explored in books and cinema.
The connection between food and sexuality has been explored in various art works.
Symbolism
Some food is symbolic or act as metaphors for body parts involved in sexual relations. Common examples include bananas, zucchini and cucumbers as phallic symbols. Melons have a similar use and are sometimes used as stand-ins for breasts, as in the Austin Powers movie where they are used to cover up a woman's bare chest.
Examples in media
The movies Tampopo, 9½ Weeks, Chocolat, Like Water for Chocolate, Eat Drink Man Woman, and Babette's Feast are among those exploring the relationship. Tom Jones contains a notable eating scene.
The lyrics to the French song Les sucettes relates to the entendre of lollipops as sexual metaphor. The album cover for Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass 1965 album Whipped Cream & Other Delights pictures a woman covered in whipped cream.
In the movie American Pie a young adult engages in simulated intercourse with a pie. Carl's Junior advertisements have featured a scantily clad Paris Hilton in rapturously eating one of the company's burger offerings.
See also
