How to select Bird Nest

A gift of Bird Nest is commonly perceived as a gift of good health. But how much do you really know about this Chinese delicacy?

To start off, edible Bird Nest is produced by three species of Bird Nests - white-nest, black-nest and grass-nest.
These birds use a glutinous saliva secretion to construct their nests, which are prized by the Chinese, who believe they can boost one's complexion and immune system.
Herbalist Ang Lai Chye, a retail supervisor at Eu Yan Sang's Paragon outlet, said between 85 per cent and 97 per cent of the nest built by the white-nest swiflet contains salivary glutinous strands, so it is considered the "cleanest" nest among the three species.
The black-Bird Nest, on the other hand, mixes feathers and plant materials with its salivary secretion to build its nests.
Grass-Bird Nests, as the name implies, build their nests with grass and salivary secretion. For these two species of Bird Nests, only 5 per cent to 15 per cent of their nests contain salivary strands, though these nests are also eaten.
A Bird Nest builds its nest to lay eggs and house its young till they are ready to take flight.
Licensed harvesters must ensure that nests are collected only after they have been abandoned by young Bird Nests, said Mr Ang.
That is why harvesting time coincides with the Bird Nests' breeding season and ends before nesting begins, he added.
Bird Nest can be harvested once or twice a year. The first harvest may take place between November and March, when there is a surplus of rain and food. Industry players regard nests built during this period to be of the best quality, Mr Ang said.
The second harvest is carried out from late July to early September, with each harvest typically lasting about 10 days.
Bird Nests can be found in caves on cliffs, or in purpose-built houses. While their nutritional content is similar, house nests are cleaner, with fewer impurities and feathers than nests built in caves. They also expand more quickly when soaked in water, and cook more quickly.
Cave nests have a lower swelling capacity because they are generally firmer and harder, owing to their harsh natural climate.
If the raw Bird Nest disintegrates easily upon contact with water, it is a sign that the product may actually contain very little of real Bird Nest.
It is also a myth that the red-coloured "blood Bird Nest" is formed by Bird Nests that vomit their blood to build their nests.
What happens, in fact, is that the Bird Nest absorbs minerals from the cave walls, which then gives it the unique colour, Mr Ang explained.

How to select Bird Nest

Buyer's knowledge poor

A recent poll of 300 people by traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) retailer Eu Yan Sang found that 72 per cent consumed Bird Nest.
But 66 per cent of respondents had no idea how the price or quality of Bird Nest was determined.
The size and shape of Bird Nest are actually the key factors in determining its price - not its nutritional value, explained Mr Ang.
In other words, you pay more for its appearance.
Those that are curved in the shape of a spoon are considered the most ideal ones.
As for whole Bird Nest, it takes skill to keep the pieces intact during the cleaning process, so it tends to cost more too, he said.
The finer and more compact the Bird Nest strands, the higher its price as well.

Beware of counterfeits

There are eight different grades of Bird Nests, which determine their selling price.
Mr Ang said Eu Yan Sang sells only those from grade three onwards.
A tael (37.6g) of house nests at the retail outlet goes for $128 to $368, while the same amount of the less common cave nests cost between $198 and $788.
A 150g bottle of concentrated Bird Nest is priced between $49.90 and $89.90.
When preparing and eating Bird Nest at home, you can tell how authentic it is by observing its colour and smell.
When it is soaked in water, the strips of saliva should expand and turn transparent. But the water in which it is soaked should remain clear.
Bird Nests which have an extremely white colour may have been bleached, warned Mr Ang.
The real nests will also have a fishy tinge because of the Bird Nest's saliva.
After cooking, the aroma should be like that of egg white.
Meanwhile, counterfeits will reek of additives, Mr Ang said.
You can also tell the source of a Bird Nest based on how it feels in the mouth.
Cave nests tend to be crunchy and chewy, while house nests are softer, smoother and more slippery.
When buying raw Bird Nest, weigh its price against the size, shape and thickness of the nest and the firmness of the threads.
Its swelling capacity, taste and smell can be judged only during preparation and eating.
Bottled Bird Nest is a convenient alternative to raw Bird Nest.
To tell if it is of good quality, look closely at the contents of the bottle.
The Bird Nest strands should be resting at the bottom as it is denser than water, said Mr Ang.
Make it a habit to check the expiry dates of Bird Nest products too.
Raw Bird Nest, which has a shelf life of two years, should be stored in a cool, dry and airtight container in the main refrigerator compartment. Bottled versions can last 21/2 years from its manufacturing date.
If you are not planning to finish a whole bottle of Bird Nest at one go, pour the desired amount into a cup instead of drinking straight from the bottle, as your saliva can cause it to spoil faster.
Store the remainder in the refrigerator and finish it within one week.

Fake Bird Nest soup ingredient in smuggler's boat

Customs officials have seized a motorboat laden with onions, tiny marble Buddha images and tree gum used to make bogus Bird Nest soup - all smuggled across the Moei river from Myanmar.

Wallop Wutthaphanich, chief of the customs checkpoint in Mae Sot district, said on Tuesday the boat held 540 kilogrammes of tree gum, 90 bags of onions and 156 Buddha figurines.
The confiscated goods had a combined value of more than 1 million baht, he said.
The boat was found at a makeshift wharf on the side of the Moei River at Moo 3 village of tambon Tha Sai Luat in Mae Sot district on Monday, he said.
The driver of the boat, believed to be a Myanmar national, jumped into the water and swam back to the other side when he spotted Thai authorities approaching, said Mr Wallop.
He said the tree gum was of the kind used in preparing fake Bird Nest soup and was often sold illegally at border markets.

Raw white Bird Nest

After harvesting Bird Nest, we should leave fur and dust to make it clearer. Pure raw white Bird Nest is very useful for your health in case of enhancing immune booster and preventing serious diseases.

Main ingredients of Bird Nest:

Raw white Bird Nest contains protein, glucose, vitamins, minerals and trace minerals. It has 32 micro elements so they are not only good for children’s bone development but also oldster’s health. Moreover, tryptophan in white Bird Nest can help fetus’s development strong.
How about female?

Is there any good results?

Absolutely yes. Threonine in each Bird Nest supports collagen and elastin. They can prevent wrinkles, acnes, pigmentations… So, our skin will be healthier.
Besides, Bird Nest contains some elements such as: zinc, glucosamine…to prevent aging, boost memory…
Specially, it also has some more wonderful elements: protein (40- 45%), aspartic acid (4, 49%), proline (5, 27%), cysteine, phenylalamine (4, 50%)… They help enhance memory, stabilize the nervous system and prevent osteoarthritis…

Effects of Bird Nest

You will enhance immune system if you enjoy Bird Nest regularly. Moreover, liver system, digestive system, body detoxification, libido… will be increase, too.

How about children?

Is it really good?
Of course yes. It doesn’t has any side effects so, parents will use comfortably. Bird Nest will bring benefits for children’s health such as: enhance immune system and metabolism. Specially, Bird Nest is very useful for anorexia or malnourished children.
Besides, Bird Nest is a wonderful detoxification for those who use wine or tobacco. It also has many necessary elements that help old people or patients become stronger and prevent aging.
There are some micro elements such as: Mangan, Copper, Zinc, Br… They are very useful for nervous system, memory booster. So, head workers will keep brain healthier, reduce stress and sleep well.
If you are pregnant or nursing, Bird Nest will supply nutrients for both mom and baby. Last but not least, women will be younger if they use Bird Nest regularly. Because it contains threonine – a high anti- aging element, acnes and wrinkles will be got rid of effectively.
In short, Bird Nest is such a wonderful natural product that everybody can enjoy without having any side - effects.