A Beginner’s Guide to Food Play

We all swooned when Mickey Rourke and Kim Basinger steamed up the kitchen in "9½ Weeks," but have you ever thought of re-enacting this sensual piece of cinema? After all, your tongue has around 10,000 taste buds and your skin is your largest erogenous zone. Even the odor of certain foods can be sexy. Food brings new tastes, textures and smells into the bedroom - and a whole new level of sensation to your play. Here's how to prepare for your first foray into food and sex.

Don’t forget about getting yourself ready either. You’d never serve dinner on a dirty plate, would you? Take a long shower to make sure you’re clean and fresh before presenting the main course to you partner. (And before you get started, check out 6 of the Most Under-Rated Erogenous Zones.)Select a Menu

We’ve all heard of the usual suspects: the whipped cream, melted chocolate and honey. These are classics for a reason, and should be part of any sensual buffet, but there’s a whole smorgasbord of other foods that are perfect for sex play. Let your senses be your guide and stock the fridge with your favorite treats.

The phallic shapes of cucumbers and salamis make them obvious choices for sex play. The sweet-smelling flesh of soft fruits like cantaloupes, mangoes, and papayas can also feel amazing against the skin. Figs and avocados have an irresistible creaminess (and rumored aphrodisiacal properties!) that make them perfect for food play. (Learn more about foods the may boost your sex drive in Food for Love: Do These Aphrodisiacs Really Work?)

Just make sure you don’t play downstairs with anything that could get lost. That doesn't mean you need to disregard small foods entirely though. Feeding one another strawberries or grapes can be incredibly sensual.

Food play is also a great way to spice up oral sex. Pop rocks, popsicles and breath mints can add an extra dimension by creating a cooling sensation that some people find very arousing. Note that some mints are stronger than others though, so tread lightly. Too much mint and your beloved might experience pain rather than pleasure. (Some foods can also improve your taste ... below the waist. Find out which ones will sweeten your play here.)

Oily and sugary treats can make food play exciting, but remember to keep them above the waist. Oils break down traditional latex condoms and can trap bacteria and other irritants near the skin. Sugars taste good, but they stimulate the growth of yeast and bacteria which can lead to nasty infections. If you insist on using them down below, make sure you clean up quickly and thoroughly.

The sense of smell is strongly linked to libido, so make sure you avoid anything with offensive odors. Garlic and onions might enhance your Italian cooking, but they’ve got no place in food play.

The same goes for chili peppers, cayenne pepper, and other spicy foods. These ingredients can irritate - and even burn - the sensitive skin around the genitals and mouth. That might be hot, but it sure won't be sexy.Play Safe

There’s nothing less sexy (or more embarrassing) than a trip to the emergency room, so make sure you consider potential allergies when planning your meal. Even if your partner isn’t eating the foods, a nasty reactions can still occur on contact with the skin - or even kissing someone who has eaten them.

Use a well-lubricated condom on foods meant for insertion to prevent irritation and infection, and remember that new condoms are essential if the food’s moving from one orifice to another.

Also make sure you don’t double dip, especially if you plan to eat the foods later. Squeeze bottles are also a great way to make food play more sanitary.Make Cleaning Up Dirty

After a steamy session of food play, the fun doesn’t have to end. Jump in the shower together and take your time cleaning one another up. Not only does it minimize the risk of infections; it’s a great way to prepare for another round!