Get your basics right about Bird Nest Soup

Despite its high "yuck" factor - after all, it is essentially made of Bird Nest Soup - Bird Nest Soup is a delicacy that is prized by people all over the world.

A recent survey found that 72 per cent of 300 respondents consume Bird Nest Soup, but 66 per cent had no idea how its price or quality is determined.
Herbalist Ang Lai Chye, a retail supervisor at Eu Yan Sang's Paragon outlet, shares five facts that are sure to make anyone a bona-fide expert about Bird Nest Soup:

1. The builders

The Bird Nest Soups that we eat are built by three species of swiftlets - white-nest, black-nest and grass-nest - to lay eggs and house their young.
Those made by the white-nest swiftlets are deemed the "cleanest", with 85 to 97 per cent of their nests containing salivary glutinous strands.
The black-nest and grass-nest swiftlets, build nests that are mixed with feathers and plant materials.

Get your basics right about Bird Nest Soup

2. Types of nests

Nests can be found in caves on cliffs, or in purpose-built houses that simulate their natural habitats - in urban areas, near the sea or even in the jungle.
Both types of nests can be found in Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia.
Cave nests have a crunchy and chewy feel in the mouth, while house nests are softer, smoother and more slippery.

3. Preparation

The swelling capacity of Bird Nest Soup depends on the compactness of the salivary strands, as well as its thickness and size.
Raw cave nests may require eight to 12 hours of soaking in water before they can be cooked, compared to about two hours for raw house nests.

4. Blood Bird Nest Soup

This isn't the blood-tinged vomit of the swiftlets, as many people may believe. It is actually the result of the absorption of minerals from the cave walls that give the nests the unique reddish colour.

5. Spotting counterfeits

Raw Bird Nest Soup that disintegrates easily upon contact with water may contain very little of the real product. Those which turn extremely white upon soaking may have been bleached. Counterfeits will also reek of additives.
The real nests, in contrary, should have a fishy tinge because of the swiftlet's saliva and have the aroma of an egg white after cooking.

Why Bird Nest Soup Turns to Be the Best Gift for CNY

Chinese New Year might be the most awaited events for Chinese people all around the world. It is traditionally the time for family reunion, family gathering, and visiting the elder married family members to get the red envelope. It is also the perfect time to show our love, and return the favor of the parents, either by giving them the red envelope or by gifting something valuable, such as Bird Nest Soup. It is the perfect gifts not only for elderly, but also for other members of the family, such as siblings (either men or women), young or pregnant mothers, and children

Among all other choices of gift, this is why Bird Nest Soup turns to be the best gift for Chinese New Year.

1. Countless benefits

Bird Nest Soup does not make the appearance better like beautiful outfits, but it improves the most important aspect of the life: health. With the high-value nutrients, it has numerous benefits to the recipients. It symbolizes the long-life and healthy wishes to the recipients.

2. Perfect for everyone

Not only for elderly, Bird Nest Soup is suitable for everyone in every age: young or old, men or women, pregnant mother, children, baby, etc. It is literally for everyone! It gives each person different benefits they need, such as benefits for women, for the elderly, for smokers, etc.

3. Long-lasting

With the right treatment and handling, Bird Nest Soup can be long lasting. It is best kept in dry and airtight food container, stored at room or cool temperature. Good quality dried Bird Nest Soup can last for over ten years if stored properly.

4. Easy to prepare

The Bird Nest Soup is also easy to prepare, so it’s perfect for active people too. How to prepare: soak and rinse the dried Bird Nest Soup with clean water for several hours; clean it using tweezers; change the water and soak it for another hour until the Bird Nest Soup is soft and expanding from its original shape.

5. Served as various dishes

Mention it all, either soup, dessert, main course, Bird Nest Soup can serve it all. It is also can be served hot or cold, depending on the dishes and preference. See various Bird Nest Soup recipes on our blog.