Flavours of Love: 4 Historical Ingredients for Valentine´s Day

I’ve always believed that food has a unique way of communicating our feelings. Regarding love, ingredients can tell stories more powerful than words. Throughout history, many foods have nourished the body, evoked emotions, symbolized deep aspects of love, and played leading roles in rituals, traditions, and romantic gestures.

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, I’m looking for new ideas for my next recipe, so I´ve been exploring some ingredients historically associated with love. And after some research, I’ve chosen four ingredients that, apart from being personal favourites, are perfect for creating a romantic dessert that I’ll soon share with you to gift to your loved ones.

Strawberries

With their deep red colour and heart-like shape, strawberries have been associated with passion and fertility since ancient times. During the Renaissance, strawberries were highly appreciated for their sweet taste and vibrant appearance, making them a symbol of beauty and desire. They were a popular gift in royal courts and among the nobility, and it was believed that gifting strawberries to someone was an act of affectionate love. Due to their juicy red shape, strawberries were associated with the lips and the heart, two symbols strongly linked to love and passion.

An intriguing fact is that in the 18th century, there was a practice called floriography, or the "language of flowers and fruits," where specific meanings were assigned to various flowers and plants. Within this framework, strawberry blossoms symbolized fidelity and everlasting love. Their shape and colour inspired the notion of a passionate, enduring relationship that would never fade.

It’s no surprise that this symbol-laden fruit is a staple of romantic dinners. There’s nothing more tempting than biting into a juicy strawberry, its vibrant sweetness exploding in your mouth and evoking the very passion it represents. Today, strawberries are commonly enjoyed on their own, with cream, dipped in chocolate, in elaborate desserts, or even paired with a glass of champagne.

Roses

Roses are more than just the universal visual symbol of love—they’re also culinary treasures across various cultures. From Middle Eastern rose water to French desserts adorned with delicate petals, roses add a uniquely romantic and aromatic touch to dishes.

Cleopatra, famed for her legendary romances, would perfume her meals and wines with rose water. She believed the fragrance of roses could ignite passion and elevate the sensory experience of those who dined with her.

In Roman mythology, roses took on an even deeper significance. Venus, the goddess of love, mourned deeply when her beloved Adonis died after being wounded by a wild boar. From her tears and his blood, red roses bloomed, symbolizing passion, love, and the tragic beauty of their relationship.

To this day, roses are central to romantic culinary creations. Whether in Turkish delights like Lokum or Indian desserts like kulfi, rose water is an essential ingredient in recipes celebrating love.

Violets

Violets are flowers that hold varied and profound meanings depending on their colour. In general, they symbolize the month of February and concepts such as love, humility, faith, and dignity. Blue violets represent love and loyalty, yellow signifies kindness and courage, and white violets evoke purity. These flowers convey unique and special messages with their diversity of colours and symbolism.

With a history dating back to 500 B.C., violets have been cherished for centuries. Initially cultivated in Greece, they were used to make wine and medicines. Their significance appears in various myths, such as Roman mythology, where Venus turned women who aroused her jealousy into blue violets. Even historical figures like Napoleon Bonaparte idolized them, going as far as declaring them his signature flower. Today, these delicate blooms continue to be appreciated in gardens and as houseplants, standing out for their timeless beauty and symbolism.

In gastronomy, violets are a delicate treasure. They lend their floral sweetness to candies, syrups, liqueurs, and infusions. Crystallized violet petals elevate desserts and cocktails, while their presence whispers elegance into salads and teas. Their flavour is a gentle reminder of how love can transform the simplest things into something extraordinary.

Chocolate

The connection between chocolate and romance is as ancient as it is enduring. In Mesopotamian society, cacao played a central role in rituals of fertility and love. Often combined with spices, cacao was consumed as a sacred drink during spiritual and marital ceremonies.

By the Victorian era, gifting chocolates had evolved into a sophisticated expression of love. In 1861, the chocolatier Cadbury introduced heart-shaped chocolate boxes as a Valentine’s Day marketing innovation. These boxes, which doubled as keepsakes for letters and mementoes, quickly became iconic symbols of romantic affection.

Today, chocolate’s association with happiness and endorphins makes it an indispensable part of any romantic celebration, whether it’s moulded into truffles, paired with strawberries, or savoured in decadent desserts.

What Does Science Say?

The connection between certain foods and love is not just symbolic but also chemical. Ingredients like chocolate contain compounds that stimulate the release of serotonin and endorphins, linked to feelings of happiness. Other foods, like strawberries and nuts, are associated with increased energy and overall well-being, reinforcing their reputation as love ingredients.

So With these key ingredients, I’m going to create the perfect dessert for you to share with your loved ones.

As a preview, imagine a smooth and refreshing dessert in which strawberries and roses dance in a delicate dance of flavours, complemented by velvety chocolate.

Stay tuned—a recipe as romantic as these ingredients will be coming your way very soon!

Have a Tasty Day!