Musician Bad Bunny has left fans captivated after sharing a seductive video where he slowly devours melted chocolate from his coated fingers at a restaurant in Colombia known for this unique dining experience. The clip quickly went viral, with many admitting they never imagined watching someone lick chocolate off their fingers could be so alluring. This moment has brought renewed attention to food play, also known as sitophilia, a fetish that is already well established in the realm of sexual exploration.
The Rise of Food Play in the UK
Recent data reveals that more than a third of Brits (34%) are eager to incorporate food into their intimate moments, with 45% believing that food can be just as sensual as sex toys. Sexual therapist Courtney Boyer describes sitophilia as an accessible, low-barrier, and playful way to enhance one's sex life. 'You don't need special equipment, and it can feel less intimidating than impact play or restraint. It's got great dip your toe in energy,' she explains.
Online supermarket Ocado has noted a significant surge in sales of lickable food items. Honey sales have skyrocketed by 509%, while whipped cream has seen a 24% increase. Other popular items include ridge cucumbers, with a 178% sales boost, and coconut oil, which has experienced a staggering 599% rise. Brits are also reaching for peaches (77% increase), cherries (84%), and melon (97%) for their food play adventures.
Top 10 Foods Used During Sex
- Whipped cream (49%)
- Chocolate (36%)
- Ice cubes (34%)
- Strawberries (28%)
- Bananas, cucumbers, and courgettes (27%)
- Ice cream (21%)
- Maple syrup (16%)
- Coconut oil (15%)
- Honey (15%)
- Chocolate-covered fruits (12%)
The Historical Roots of Sitophilia
Food and eroticism have been intertwined for millennia. 'Ancient cultures, including the Greeks and Romans, linked feasting, pleasure, and sexuality in both ritual and social life,' says Boyer. 'Indulgence was sensory and communal. Look at the evidence in art: reclining bodies, grapes, wine, honey. While food play was never a named historical kink, the pairing of taste, touch, and desire demonstrates that humans have long eroticized what nourishes us.'
The sensory overlap between eating and sex is primal. 'Taste, smell, texture, anticipation, gratification — it's primal. Feeding and being fed can feel intimate, nurturing, even power-infused depending on the dynamic. Throw in taboo, messiness, and sensory overload, and it can heighten vulnerability and presence in the body,' Boyer adds.
Safety Considerations
Health experts urge caution when incorporating food into sexual activities. Karin O'Sullivan, clinical lead at sexual health charity FPA, warns: 'Whatever goes inside your vagina must be something that can be taken out intact. Food left behind requires an immediate trip to A&E or a sexual health clinic to be removed.' She emphasizes that sugar can disrupt the delicate pH balance, leading to infections such as thrush or bacterial vaginosis. Symptoms include itching, soreness, unusual discharge, and pain during urination or sex. It is advised to keep food play to the vulva area or above the waist to minimize risks.
Getting Started with Food Play
For those new to sitophilia, Boyer recommends starting simple. 'Keep it simple, low-mess, body-safe. Feeding each other by hand or mouth, using syrups or creams to drizzle along the body, can be a great place to start.' She suggests incorporating a blindfold to heighten other senses or trying temperature play with chilled grapes. 'Consent and aftercare still matter even with playful kinks. Remember to discuss boundaries, clean-up expectations, and comfort levels with mess. The goal isn't performance. It's shared pleasure, curiosity, and connection.'
Sex worker Melissa Todd reports that food play is a common request, with clients engaging in creative acts such as masturbating on a block of stilton cheese or wrapping their penis in a sandwich. The fetish's appeal lies in its accessibility and the shared secret of selecting items in a supermarket, building anticipation for the bedroom.
