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A Recipe For Love: Over a third of Brits are experimenting with food in the bedroom this Valentine’s

10th February 2026

  • New research has revealed that over half (52%) of Brits think experimenting in the bedroom is far more exciting than giving or receiving flowers this Valentine’s Day, and 34% have considered using food to spice things up
  • The top food items Brits are experimenting with include whipped cream, cucumbers and coconut oil, and Ocado reports that sales of coconut oil have soared across the board, as high as 599%, ahead of Valentine’s
  • This year, it’s all about flavour for Brits in the bedroom, as sales of flavoured condoms have also increased by 611% compared to the previous week, and sales of strawberry flavoured lube have shot up 54%

This Valentine’s Day, Brits are swapping flowers for cucumbers and whipped cream, as food play moves into the mainstream.

New research from Ocado Retail, the world’s largest dedicated online supermarket, reveals that over half (52%)* of Brits agree that experimenting in the bedroom is far more exciting than giving or receiving flowers this Valentine’s Day, and over a third (34%) have considered using food to spice things up. 

Food play – the art of using edible treats like chocolate, whipped cream, cherries, or flavoured lube to enhance intimacy and explore new sensations with a partner – is no longer niche. Over half (58%) of Brits agree that pop culture and social media have made conversations about sex and sensuality more open, helping couples feel more comfortable experimenting with playful experiences.

This has partly come as a result of sensual food scenes featuring in popular TV shows, such as Bridgerton, and are being teased in upcoming blockbuster releases like Wuthering Heights, bringing the trend firmly into mainstream media and pop-culture moments. 

So, it’s no surprise that almost half (45%) of UK adults agree that food can be just as sensual as other intimate products such as sex toys and props. Survey data reveals that almost a third of Brits (27%) have incorporated cucumbers, bananas, and courgettes into the bedroom with their partner, proving that edible intimacy isn’t just playful…it’s practical too. Sales data support this surge, as Ridge Cucumbers on Ocado have also risen by 178%* in the run-up to Valentine’s Day.

But the proof is really in the pudding… sales of edible indulgences have seen an uplift in the run up to Valentine’s, as whipped cream (24%), peaches (77%), cherries (84%), melon (97%) and honey ( 509%) sales soar. With nearly half (45%) of Brits saying flavours and textures of food can heighten intimacy, this shows that couples are embracing playful, multi-sensory intimacy, beyond the traditional Valentine’s tropes. 

The trend also extends beyond traditional products. Ocado has reported sales across multiple brands of coconut oil have all surged, by 300% up to 599%, in the fortnight before Valentine’s Day. There’s clearly a growing appetite for versatile, sensory additions to the bedroom.

For many Brits, it’s not just about the food, it’s about flavour and engaging all five of the senses, with over half (56%) agreeing that intimacy today is about stimulating all five. This playful, sensory mindset is showing up in the bedroom, with almost a third (29%) experimenting with flavoured lubes and condoms. This shift is reflected in sales, as Skins Flavoured Condoms have already soared by 611%, while Durex’s Cherry Lube Water has also increased by 52% as Brits prepare for the romantic occasion.

This Valentine’s, it seems couples are getting creative, using food and flavour to add a sensory, playful twist to their time together.

With everything from dinner-date essentials to playful extras, Ocado’s range has Valentine’s plans sorted, whatever that night looks like. Browse the full range at Ocado.com to get ready for the big night.

Notes to Editors:

  • * Based on a survey of 2,000 respondents conducted in January 2026 by Clariti
  • **Sales data taken from 26.01.26 – 01.02.26 vs  02.02.26 – 08.02.26

The Top 10 Foods That People Use For Sex or Intimacy With Their Partner:

  1. Whipped cream (49%)
  2. Chocolate (36%)
  3. Ice cubes (34%)
  4. Strawberries (28%)
  5. Bananas, cucumbers, and courgettes (27%)
  6. Ice cream (21%)
  7. Maple syrup (16%)
  8. Coconut oil (15%)
  9. Honey (15%)
  10. Chocolate-covered fruits (12%)

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