Sitophilia is the latest sex craze a lot of couples are eagerly trying out

More and more couples are reportedly turning to a hugely-hyped fetish known as 'sitophilia', in a bid to spice up their sex lives - literally.

According to some startled sex and relationship experts, this hot new trend sees partners incorporating foods into their throes of passion.

And no, we're not talking just about old-school sexy sweet treats, like chocolate-covered strawberries, ice cubes and whipped cream. We're talking a whole lot dirtier.

According to the Sexual Health Alliance, 'sitophilia' refers to a desire to fulfil sexual fantasies that hinge largely upon eating and drinking.

Sometimes nicknamed 'food play', or 'sploshing', the most conventional variation of this saucy practice sees couples lathering themselves in non-bodily fluids. Their partner might then lick off said sauce in an intimate, drawn-out fashion that tantalises the recipient.

As fetishes go, it's regarded by many 'sexperts' as a pretty common one.

Sitophilia is commonly known as 'food play' (Getty Stock Image)

This could be down to its representation in film. In 50 Shades of Grey, for example, the central couple eat ice cream off one another's writhing bodies, whilst actress Ali Larter sported a clotted cream bikini for the pleasure of her partner in Varsity Blues.

And apparently, it's catching on.

According to sexual therapist Courtney Boyer, who spoke to Metro recently, over a third of sexually-active Brits - 34 per cent, to be exact - rely on food play to intensify intimate moments with their partners.

Boyer hailed sitophilia as an 'accessible, low-barrier, playful' way of taking things to a new level between the sheets, adding: "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."

The sexpert claims it's a great way for a couple to spice up their sex life (Getty Stock Image)

Her verdict on popularity was also supported by staff at online supermarket Ocado, who claim phallic-shaped foods and sticky sauces are currently flying off the shelves, including ridge cucumber, honey and coconut oil.

Sweet and sour fruits like peaches, cherries and melons are also amongst the most common to be used in this capacity.

'But where exactly did sitophilia originate?', I hear you ask.

Well, Ancient Greece of course.

Boyer explained: "Food and eroticism have been intertwined for thousands of years. Ancient cultures, including the Greeks and Romans, linked feasting, pleasure, and sexuality in both ritual and social life.

"Indulgence was sensory and communal. Look at the evidence in art: reclining bodies, grapes, wine, honey."

It's apparently a pretty common fetish (Getty Stock Image)

She added: "While food play was never a named historical kink, the pairing of taste, touch, and desire demonstrates that humans have long eroticised what nourishes us."

It is this stimulation of our senses, the expert says, that builds up pleasure in so many sitophilia part-takers.

"Taste, smell, texture, anticipation, gratification - it’s primal," Boyer continues. "Feeding and being fed can feel intimate, nurturing, even power-infused depending on the dynamic.

"Throw in taboo (food 'not meant' for sex), messiness, and sensory overload, and it can heighten vulnerability and presence in the body."