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Weight in pounds of the stopper alone of a cut-crystal Baccarat decanter being sold by the fine art and antiques dealer M.S. Rau. Believed to have been produced for exhibition by the legendary French glassmaker, the wine serving vessel stands almost three feet tall and is listed on the dealer’s website for $38,500. Hopefully, the decanter comes with a personal sommelier to pour it.

Which of the following foods is not considered an aphrodisiac?

A. Hot peppers

B. Figs

C. Oysters

D. Graham crackers

Graham crackers, named after Presbyterian minister Sylvester Graham, are not considered an aphrodisiac. Graham believed eating a vegetarian diet rich in bread products could help keep society “pure” by preventing people from having impure thoughts and suppressing the impulse to masturbate (which Graham considered to be a catalyst for blindness and early death). While no food has scientifically been proven to stimulate desire, some foods do have certain “feel good” properties. Historically, spicy foods such as hot peppers were thought to awaken the senses, figs, rich in antioxidants, may help increase blood flow, and oysters, well oysters resemble certain parts of the anatomy. We’ll leave it there.

“In north Africa, Spain and Portugal, [cork] forests are the last firewall to complete desertification.”

—Patrick Spencer, Founder, Cork Forest Conservation Alliance

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