Conch Pistols: The Bahamian Aphrodisiac | Giving Them A Try

In The Bahamas, a tour guide with a sense of humor may convince you to try something that looks and feels similar to a worm. In my case, the tour guide refused to tell me what I was trying and made me eat three before he even gave me a hint.

In my mind, if I’m being convinced on an organized tour to try something edible, then it most likely can’t be anything that would harm or kill me. I’m also most adventurous when I travel, so I’m not above trying or doing anything.

After three, he finally told me I was eating conch penis. I was a little shocked, but surprisingly not disgusted. He explained that many Caribbean people believe the entire conch is an aphrodisiac, but especially the penis and more specifically for men than women. I later discovered that it was not at all the penis but rather the pistol (or crystalline style), an important part of the conch’s digestive system.

All sorts of natural things are said to be aphrodisiacs like oysters, strawberries, watermelon, and chocolate, but I was no more turned on after eating the conch pistol than I have ever been eating some of the other items I listed, which leads me to believe that these ideas are more or less myths passed down through time.

All of this to say, even if you don’t try conch pistols, you will absolutely want to try conch meat in the many forms you’ll find it in The Bahamas- cracked (deep fried), in a salad, as chowder, steamed, sautéed, or in a stew. Order it any way (hold the pistol!) and you’ll find it’s a delicious source of protein and vitamins E and B12.