When we think of pleasure, we tend to consider the physical, visual and perhaps audial elements of an experience. But one of our most powerful pleasure senses is often overlooked — taste.

The way something tastes can trigger a full body response. The sip of something rich, sweet or full-bodied, the taste of a passionate kiss, or the decadence of an indulgent dessert can create a surge of pleasure that lingers long after the moment has passed. Our experience of taste doesn’t only affect our cravings at the dining room table, but is deeply connected to emotional, sensual and erotic pleasure. 

If you’re looking to add another dimension to your experiences of pleasure -- in the bedroom and beyond -- read on for gustatory inspiration to turn up the heat from the kitchen to the bedroom.

The taste-pleasure circuit

Taste has the potential to activate the reward pathways of the brain and specifically the orbitofrontal cortex, which is involved in processing pleasure, reward value and decision making. This is the same area that becomes active during romantic encounters and sexual arousal. In other words, the neural circuits that respond to a decadent bite of chocolate cake also light up when you're falling in love or feeling turned on.

This overlap may explain why food and sex are often intertwined. We see it in metaphors: They’re delicious, tasty, a snack. And we see it in the way we date: dinner, dessert and…more. And we also see it in the way we experience closeness through the senses.

Research supports this powerful link between taste and emotional or romantic experience. One study found that people who consumed something sweet were more likely to express romantic interest in others, suggesting that sweet tastes can influence perceptions of interpersonal attraction (Ren et al., 2015). Other research suggests that when we believe a dish was “made with love,” we perceive it more favorably, highlighting how emotional context can shape sensory experience. These findings highlight how taste both activates the brain’s pleasure centres and enhances emotional and social experiences, reinforcing the deep sensory connection between food, memory, and affection.

Taste also links to memory and emotion. Smell and taste are processed together via the olfactory bulb, which has direct access to the amygdala and hippocampus — the brain’s emotional and memory centres. This means one bite or one kiss can instantly trigger strong emotional responses. It’s why certain foods — or partners — can feel comfortingly familiar or irresistibly nostalgic. It begins with the way we eat. 

Eat mindfully. Savor Sexually.

Given the connection between food and pleasure, it follows that eating can be a deeply sensual act — not just for your body, but for your brain. Studies show that mindfulness practices improve sexual satisfaction and arousal, helping us to tune into our bodies, reduce performance anxiety, and increase desire (Brotto & Heiman, 2007). Mindful eating is one way to build this connection. And it’s not about restriction — it’s about presence.

Here’s how to get started:

Ditch distractions. 

Put your phone in a drawer, turn off the TV (or tablet) and tune into the table -- the people, the tastes, the textures and more.  One study from the University of Michigan found that nearly 90% of people believe phones at the dinner table are inappropriate, yet many admit to using them anyway — and their presence can interfere with meaningful connection and enjoyment (Moser et al., 2016).

Slow down. 

Chew slowly and really taste your food. It’s not about tuning into every “mouth feel”, but so often we rush through eating that we don’t even bother to taste. Unsurprisingly, we see the same bad habits show up in the bedroom.

Eat for pleasure. 

Choose foods that make you feel good based on your own standards as opposed to someone else’s. Taste, comfort, nostalgia, and satisfaction can all bring pleasure to your tastebuds and beyond.

When you practice tuning into flavor, texture, and sensation at the table, it becomes easier to tune into pleasure in bed. Eating mindfully helps you listen to your body’s needs — physical and sexual. When we slow down, stay present, and savor the experience, we deepen connection with food, the moment, ourselves and our partners.

Sexual superfoods

Eating for pleasure, joy and sensuality can be complemented by eating strategically and while there’s no single superfood that guarantees better sex, the way you eat can affect how you feel — physically, emotionally, and erotically. The foods you choose influence your mood, energy, sleep, and blood flow, which are all key players in your sexual experience.

Research shows that diets rich in colorful fruits, vegetables, healthy fats, whole grains, and lean proteins are associated with improved sexual functioning (Esposito et al., 2006; Nassir et al., 2021; Temba et al., 2025). 

This might include:

• Oysters, pumpkin seeds, and shellfish are rich in zinc — a mineral that supports testosterone production and sexual functioning in all genders.
• Berries like blueberries and cherries contain antioxidants and flavonoids that may support healthy blood flow and reduce inflammation.
• Nuts and whole grains contain L-arginine, which your body uses to make nitric oxide — a compound that relaxes blood vessels and enhances arousal.
• Dark chocolate, in small amounts, contains compounds that may promote pleasure, including phenylethylamine (PEA), which is associated with mood elevation. One study even found a marginal increase in desire among women who eat dark chocolate daily (Salonia et al., 2006).
• Salmon: Rich in omega-3 fatty acids, salmon supports cardiovascular health and blood flow, important factors in sexual function (Odetayo & Olayaki, 2023).
• Cassava and plantain, which have been shown to positively support (anti) inflammation, immune function and metabolism (Temba et al., 2025).

For a full outline of The Good Sex Diet, learn more here!

Gustatory pleasure in the bedroom

Tapping into gustatory pleasure may begin at the dinner table, but there’s no reason it can’t extend into the bedroom as well. Here are a few creative ways to bring the sensuality of taste into your sex life:

Try a taste test to tune into the gustatory: 

Use a blindfold and pick a mix of your favorite flavors as well as new and exciting tastes as you take turns feeding on another. Fruit slices, chocolate, chilled grapes, citrus zest, candies, chilled pantry items (to throw them off) can be used to experiment with temperature and more. You can move onto drizzling a bit of honey across their skin (and then licking it off) or alternate between hot mint tea and ice water to awaken their senses. This playful approach builds anticipation and shifts your focus to pleasure, presence, and curiosity.

Incorporate flavored lube into your oral play: 

We may be biased, but the research backs up what we already know: lube makes sex hotter in every way. Whether you’re new to lube or already a fan, a flavored formula can make your partner taste even more inviting. Astroglide’s flavored lubes are designed to taste good and feel great. And just a few drops go a long way in making oral play more exciting. Drip our water-based formula over their nipples, thighs or anywhere you want to kiss. Apply it with your tongue during oral sex. Slather your fingers in our flavored formula to tease with your digits ahead of your lips and tongue. If you're trying to stay in the moment and engage more of your senses, flavored lube is a sweet (and slippery) place to start.

Experiment with edible body products: 

You don’t have to bring a twelve-inch assorted sub into the bedroom, but a few playful products can add excitement and awaken new pleasure pathways. Chocolate body paint, edible massage oils, homemade syrups, whipped cream and sparkling beverages (flavored bubbly water or champagne) can add flavor, texture, and a touch of decadence to your play. Try drizzling, dipping, or sipping slowly from their skin. Alternate between warm and cool temperatures, soft licks and teasing blows, and pay attention to how their body responds. Just remember not everything edible is body-safe, so keep the tasty treats away from internal areas unless the product is made for that kind of play.

Use your mouth as a pleasure tool: 

Gustatory pleasure isn’t just about flavor. It’s about how you use your breath, lips, tongue and teeth! Slow, teasing kisses. Gentle sucking. A swirl of the tongue behind the knee. Light nibbles down the neck. These small additions can enhance the sensory experience to build anticipation, deepen arousal, and keep your partner deliciously on edge. And if you’re looking for some advanced techniques to use your mouth in bed, check out my 20 Tips for Hotter Oral as well as these Step-by-Step Oral Pleasure Techniques.

Bon Appetit! 

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Brotto, L. A., & Heiman, J. R. (2007). Mindfulness in sex therapy: Applications for women with sexual difficulties following gynecologic cancer. Sexual and Relationship Therapy, 22(1), 3–11. https://doi.org/10.1080/14681990601153298ResearchGate+6med-fom-brotto.sites.olt.ubc.ca+6Taylor & Francis Online+6

Moser, C., Schoenebeck, S. Y., & Reinecke, K. (2016). Technology at the table: Attitudes about mobile phone use at mealtimes. In Proceedings of the 2016 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (pp. 1881–1892). Association for Computing Machinery. https://doi.org/10.1145/2858036.2858357

Odetayo, A. F., & Olayaki, L. A. (2023). Omega 3 fatty acid improves sexual and erectile function in BPF-treated rats by upregulating NO/cGMP signaling and steroidogenic enzymes activities. Scientific Reports, 13(1), 18060. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-45344-4

Ren, D., Tan, E. S. H., Arriaga, X. B., & Chan, K. Q. (2015). Sweet love: The effects of sweet taste experience on romantic perceptions. Appetite, 87, 249–255. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2014.12.214

Salonia, A., Fabbri, F., Zanni, G., Scavini, M., Fantini, G. V., Briganti, A., Naspro, R., Parazzini, F., Gori, E., Rigatti, P., & Montorsi, F. (2006). Chocolate and women's sexual health: An intriguing correlation. The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 3(3), 476–482. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1743-6109.2006.00236.x

Temba, G. S., Pecht, T., Kullaya, V. I., Vadaq, N., Mosha, M. V., Ulas, T., Kanungo, S., van Emst, L., Bonaguro, L., Schulte-Schrepping, J., Mafuru, E., Lionetti, P., Mhlanga, M. M., van der Ven, A. J., Cavalieri, D., Joosten, L. A. B., Kavishe, R. A., Mmbaga, B. T., Schultze, J. L., Netea, M. G., & de Mast, Q. (2025). Immune and metabolic effects of African heritage diets versus Western diets in men: A randomized controlled trial. Nature Medicine. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-025-03602-0