Queen Anne Boleyn, second wife of Henry VIII, had a strawberry-shaped birthmark on her neck - thought to be proof she was a witch. She lost her head over it.
In the tradition of courtly love, strawberries were used as flirtatious signals, meaning "you intoxicate me with delight" and "you are delicious”. Believed to be an aphrodisiac of the highest quality, they have been a symbol of sensuality and earthly desire in art and literature, and are often referred to as “fruit nipples” in erotica.
In provincial France, strawberries played an essential part in wedding night events. For example, newlyweds were always served a cold strawberry soup.
The strawberry was a symbol for Venus, the Goddess of Love, because of its heart shape, and red colour. Legend has it that if you break a double strawberry in half and share it with someone you are "sweet on", you will soon fall in love with each other.
A member of the rose family, the strawberry is unique in that it is the only fruit with seeds on the outside rather than the inside. Many medicinal uses were claimed for the wild strawberry, its leaves and root.
Today, some people believe that strawberries can increase your sex drive. This is attributed to the high zinc content of the fruit; the nutrient most associated with sex, and which helps to optimize blood flow to the sex organs. And if nothing else, strawberries dipped in chocolate are perfect food to feed to your lover. Talk about stimulating! |
