How is it possible that I — an evolved sensualist woman — who is writing a Food Seduction blog, don’t know that the vanilla bean, or natural vanilla, as opposed to synthetic vanilla, comes from vanilla orchids?

I am astonished to discover this fact, given my passion for orchids and sensual flavorings.

via John Sax at FlickrVanilla planifolia is a vigorous, vining orchid that can reach up to 300 feet in its native tropical American environment.

I was always embarassed about loving vanilla ice cream more than other flavors.

When people think their sex life is too traditional, what do they say? That they’re too ‘vanilla’. Vanilla is boring, right? The opposite of an aphrodisiac.

I have been so wrong about vanilla. The minute I read about vanilla bean being born in two species of orchids, my entire perception was turned inside out. And my vanilla do-over didn’t stop there.

The history of genuine vanilla, a flavoring even more expensive than saffron, is closely linked to chocolate. We all think of chocolate as being an aphrodisiac, but vanilla was an additive in the famous Azteca drink, Chocolati, which actually began with the Maya.

Vanilla: Hot Then to Calming Now

Vanilla was so treasured in Mesoamerican culture, that along with cacao, it became a form of currency.

The Azteca Emperor Moctezuma allegedly drank as many as 50 cups of vanilla-infused Chocolatl, which was said to be the reason for his success with women.

Curiously, the Spainiards returned from South America, proclaiming vanilla and chocolate to be an erotic duo. Today’s researchers have studied the calming, stress-reduction properties of vanilla. Yet the Spanish considered vanilla to be “hot” and chocolate “cold”.

The French intellectual Denis Diderot wrote: “The pleasant scent and heightened taste it (vanilla) gives to chocolate has made it very popular, but long experience having taught us that it is extremely heating, its use has become less frequent, and people who prefer to care for their health rather than please their senses abstain completely.”

In the 1700s vanilla was recommended by physicians to ensure male potency. Bezaar Zimmermann, a German physician, in his article, “On Experiences” (1762) claimed that, “No fewer than 342 impotent men, by drinking vanilla decoctions, had changed into astonishing lovers of at least as many women.”

We can blame our bon vivant president Thomas Jefferson for introducing vanilla to straight-laced early Americans. Ah! I knew it! I just Googled Thomas Jefferson, plus vanilla, and of course, we now know that Jefferson adored vanilla ice cream.

Vanilla Bean Cardamon Pudding via Figs with BriAccording to Dr. Alan Hirsch at the Smell and Taste Treatment and Research Foundation in Chicago, several odor combos associated with the kitchen are very effective in increasing penile blood flow. These included lavender and pumpkin pie, doughnut and black licorice, and pumpkin pie and doughnut.

When it comes to mature men, one smell is far and away the most effective in increasing penile blood flow. Of course you know the answer: our deliciously sexy vanilla smell.

The Calming Arousal of Vanilla

In the fragrance industry, vanilla is the first sent to come out of the kitchen and be widely embraced by both men and women.

Now, my dears, let me come at the use of vanilla as an aphrodisiac from another angle, using a bit of reverse logic on you.

What is the number one reason that women give for not wanting to have sex?

OK, we may be lying, but we say that we’re too stressed out.

This is a catch 22 situation, because good sex is known for reducing stress, through the release of oxytocin. There are many health benefits associated with sex, but stress reduction is a biggie.

Think of vanilla this way. Ingesting or smelling vanilla may arouse us indirectly by calming us, clearing our brains and making us receptive to the pleasures of a sexual encounter.

Social science provides some evidence that vanilla has calming qualities. A research study of 85 patients at Memorial Sloan-Kettering found that a sweet vanilla scent reduced their anxiety and lowered their stress levels. Sixty-five percent of the patients described the scent as relaxing, pleasant and soothing.

The following quote was actually written in 1994 but seems totally relevant to couples struggling with the challenges of today’s economy.

“As a species we are naturally sweet-loving, probably harking back to memories of mother’s milk,” said Sarah Friend, vice president and director of fragrance evaluation for International Flavors and Fragrances. “Right now consumers are confused and frightened, thanks to these economic times, and they’re returning to flavors and fragrances that are comforting and familiar.

Financial tensions take their toll in the bedroom, although much current research suggests that my Food Seduction blog is more relevant than ever.

Couples are staying in more and sales of sex toys are up. Being a single woman, I suggest that they’re also increasing for a wide range of at home pleasure, since most of us are more housebound, pinching pennies, than we were a year ago.

Vanilla Where Least Expected

Tomorrow, I will add several vanilla recipes to our discussion, and none of them the obvious vanilla-based dessert, such as pure erotic food eclairs. My challenge is to keep us healthy, too, because the positive correlation between good health and lots of sex is well established. Beyond our vital signs, body image is at the top in a reason that women give for not wanting sex.

So I love you, but you can find your own eclair recipes. I’m keeping us healthy, which is not to dismiss the importance of a good dessert on occasion. But my mission in Food Seduction is to find nutritious foods with established aphrodisiac properties that are also light and lower calorie.

As a teaser, I was surprised to discover a recipe for vanilla vinagrette. This is my kind of “sinfully delicious”. Anne