Aphrodite is the Greek goddess of love and also the origin of the delectable word aphrodisiac, meaning a food that has the power to spark passion.

Over the centuries, many cultures believed certain foods could get people in the mood for romance.

By choosing dishes with these five sweet, rich and spicy ingredients, you can heat up the next meal you have with that special someone.

1. Chili Peppers and spice

Many cultures have used spicy foods, like curry or any dish with paprika or chili peppers, to spice up the atmosphere of weddings or romantic evenings out.

"Foods that create warmth and moisture (like chili or curry) were thought to arouse 'heated' passion," according to an article on aphrodisiacs by WebMD.

Depending on your tastes, curry could be the last thing you want on a date, but it never hurts to see if adding a bit to your date might make things warmer between you and your loved one.

2. Honey

Smooth, sweet and a beautiful golden color, honey is so associated with love that we even use it as a term of endearment for spouses, boyfriends or girlfriends.

For many centuries, people used honey to impart a romantic flavor.

"Honey was used in medieval times to promote sexual desire. It also has boron, which helps the body metabolize and use estrogen," according to Women's Health.

Honey cakes or even chicken marinated with honey are a sweet addition to any romantic meal.

3. Bananas

This aphrodisiac might not pop into your head first, but both its nutritious composition and sweet taste make it a romantic favorite.

Bananas taste sweet like candy, but they're also amazing for your health.

"Bananas are packed with vitamin B and potassium, both of which are said to be important for sex hormone production," according to Women's Health.

Sharing a banana split is a great date-night activity, and make sure to tell the chef to drizzle chocolate on top, too.

4. Chocolate

Chocolate originally hails from Mesoamerica, where indigenous people believed that cacao seeds were gifts from the god of wisdom and chocolate products were aphrodisiacs.

Chocolate, whether in truffles or cake, is creamy, smooth and usually has a strong sweet flavor. In terms of the qualities that usually make aphrodisiacs, chocolate checks all the boxes.

Also, chocolate has caffeine, which data shows can put animals in the mood for love. One group of scientists tested small doses of caffeine on female rats and found that a bit of caffeine revved up their amorous moods.

"These results suggest that the effects of caffeine on female mating behavior may reflect an increase in both sexual motivation and locomotor activity," concluded the scientists.

5. Cream

Smooth and addictive, anything with cream is bound to make your mouth water, which is unfortunate for people on low-fat diets.

Traditional cream sauce with meat, including the mother of all French sauces, bechamel, is a wonderful main dish to make or share with your loved one.

Whipped cream and cream-filled pastries are delicious and perfect for romantic desserts, especially if you're not counting calories.

The power of preparation and ambiance

Naysayers may knock aphrodisiacs, but scientific studies on the placebo effect — or believing that food has a certain effect — says that the care put into sharing a meal together might actually be the magic ingredient.

"The placebo effect is more than positive thinking... It's about creating a stronger connection between the brain and body and how they work together," according to Professor Ted Kaptchuk of Harvard-affiliated Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.

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