I recently ran a question survey via SurveyMonkey and Goodreads to discover people’s ‘most romantics’. For the question ‘What is the most romantic food?’, the results were as follows:

• Chocolate: 50%
• Strawberries: 36%
• Ice cream: 7%
• Oysters: 7%

Interestingly, while oysters are proven to stimulate desire, the jury is out on whether the clear winners here, chocolate and strawberries, are aphrodisiacs. Strawberries have a reputation in the romance field for their portrayal in the arts as a symbol of sensuality, and their many tiny seeds made them a symbol of fertility. They contain plenty of healthful vitamins and minerals (more Vitamin C, in fact, than any other berry), but there are no clear links to libido. Chocolate, meanwhile, has long been heralded as a powerful aphrodisiac, dating right back to the time of Aztecs. But according to the New York Times, no study has established a scientific link between chocolate and heightened sexual desire.

No doubt, like me, you are unimpressed by the lack of evidence – the proof is in the romantic mood created by these two foods. The scent, the taste, the feel of each in your mouth, all are conducive to getting in the mood.

So that would suggest that the ideal treat on a romantic date with your partner is a combination of chocolate and strawberries. Have you ever tried making chocolate-dipped strawberries? They’re very easy to make, and really are mouthwateringly good. Here’s a simple recipe to follow:

Ingredients:

Strawberries

Chocolate of your choice (the better the quality, the better the result)

1. Cover a baking sheet with foil.
2. Wash the strawberries but don’t hull them – the green stalks add to the visual appeal.
3. Melt the chocolate in a bowl set over a pan of boiling water, stirring constantly. Don’t overheat or the chocolate gets thick – as soon as it’s smooth, remove from the heat.
4. Dip the strawberries into the chocolate, one by one, and place on the baking tray. Twirl the strawberries in the mixture to get good coverage.
5. Place in the fridge for 30 minutes.
6. Serve that day, ideally at room temperature. Delicious with a glass of champagne!

Variations: Use different types of chocolate; sprinkle the strawberries with nuts, sprinkles or coconut; drizzle melted dark chocolate over white chocolate, and vice versa. Experiment with other fruits as well: frozen banana, mango, orange segments, kiwi, pineapple.