the aphrodisiac history of scallops

As legend has it, the goddess Aphrodite was carried to earth on the shell of a scallop. And, thanks to this very high profile job of one lowly bivalve, scallops have enjoyed an aphrodisiac reputation since the time of ancient Greece.
 
Today there is evidence that scallops’ aphrodisiac classification may be more than folkloric mystique. Like other bivalves (mussels, oysters and clams), scallops were featured in a 2005 study that indicated that these little fruits of the sea just may hold the potential for raising sexual hormone levels in both men and women. (See clams).
 
It is easy to see the attraction of scallops. Their flesh is far milder than many of the ocean’s creatures. Their texture is soft - voluptuous on the tongue. Their shells make beautiful serving vessels. And, when served at their freshest, scallops offer a flavor that is the essence of the briny sea.