(continued)

France

The sensuous 19th century French gourmet Brillat-Savarin said of the truffle: "It makes women more amiable and men more amorous." Bien sur. Who among us is not aroused at the thought of a pig rooting in the muck with his hairy snout while seeking a fungus for our amatory pleasure?

In 18th century France, Parmesan cheese was considered an aphrodisiac. Probably because it was Italian, and everyone thought the Italians were really racy.

A 16th century French sexologist listed things that strengthen sexual vigor, including figs, wine in moderation, game, pomegranates, chestnuts, lamb, veal, ginger, saffron, cinnamon, warm baths and naps. The French...they know.

Absinthe: it's an alcoholic beverage and a medicine for intestinal worms! Those 19th century drug-addled bohemians knew how to get full use of a product. Habitual use does results in blindness, cramps and nerve injuries, but hey. And best of all, it's addictive. Today it's banned in many countries. Il pleur dans mon coeur, as the junkie poet Verlaine used to say.