What is Bird’s nest?

The Chinese heritage delicacy yàn wō (燕窝) that translates to swallow's nest or bird's nest, can be traced back to as far as the Tang (618-907) and Sung(1368-1644) Dynasties. Ancient Chinese literature "Min Zhong Hai Cuo Shu" originated in the Ming Dynasty, has documented the rarity of Bird Nest, having only been served to royalty and the wealthy. Bird nest is also highly regarded due to its unique medical properties. Qing dynasty (1644-1912) literature "Ben Cao Bei Yao" and "Ben Cao Feng Yuan" documented the delicacy's ability to cure diseases because of its therapeutic effects to benefit the immune system. Since then, Chinese medical scholars have studied the effects of the bird's nest and have made serious efforts to incorporate it in modern Chinese medicine as documented in "Ben Cao Cong Xin", "Ben Cao Qiu Zhen", and "Ben Cao Gang Mu Shi Yi". Today, edible bird's nest is more than a heritage delicacy. It is being commercialized as daily health food that can be consumed by people of various nationalities, races and religions. Not only is it consumed, its collagen is also extracted for various skin care and beauty products.

Country of Origin

Bird's nest can be found in various regions of Southeast Asia including Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, and Malaysia. The texture of the bird’s nest varies by region.

Bird nests are divided into the two following major categories:

House Nest:

Swallows build nests inside a house called swiftlet. The internal setting of the house imitates the temperature, luminosity, and humidity of natural caves as the roof is made of wood. The average temperature is 28°C to 30°C and humidity lies between 89% and 90%, and the environment is humid and dark. Swallows leave the swiftlet house in the morning to look for food outside until evening. Since environment is ideal, there are very little impurities and feathers in the bird´s nest are cleaner with more complete shape like a boat or a spoon. According to swiftlet’s color, the nest can be divided into white, yellow and red (blood). White nests are softer and smoother, while golden nests and red (blood) nests are crispier in texture.

Cave Nest:

Swallows also build their nests on mountain caves, rock caves and cliffs. Affected by natural climate and environment, the texture of the nest tends to be stiffer and harder, with a darker color and less appealing appearance. There are more impurities in cave nest and it takes longer time to soak, giving a crispier texture.

Varieties:

Bird nests sold on the market include natural bird nest cups, strips, threads, crumbles and scattered pieces processed into cakes of different shapes.

Harvesting Period and Grading

Usually, the harvesting period of bird nest is separated into several months. The nests built during the first period, which is from November to March every year, are called the first-tier nests. The second period and third period follow.

1st tier:

With surplus rainfall, small animals reproduce much more often. Aerodramus therefore gets sufficient food supply and this strengthens their bodies, thus lead to increase saliva secretion. The nests are big and thick and volume is the largest when soaked so there are very little impurities. The 1st tier nests are the most precious.

2nd tier:

The second period is for building nests. The production sites start entering dry season and the source of food for Aerodramus is reduced. Nests built are looser and the threads are less closely grouped and less dense. The shape and volume after soaking is not as firm as the 1st tier.

3rd tier:

During the driest months, Aerodramus are in their worst body condition. Saliva secretion is slow and feathers fall off quickly, thus impurities (such as feathers) increase. Smaller volume when soaked.

Functions:

"Ben Cao Bei Yao (Complete Essentials of the Materia Medica)" composed by Wang Ang in 1694 during the Qing Dynasty and "Ben Jing Feng Yuan (Origin of Materia Medica)" composed by Zhang Lu in 1695 have shown that centuries ago, Chinese people have already approved the effect of bird nests and apply them in disease treatment. From then on, from 1757 to 1871, a number of scholars and experts have explained in details in "New Compilation of Materia Medica", "Ben Cao Qiu Zhen (The truth of Materia Medica)" and "Notes on Compendium of Materia Medica" the benefits of bird´s nest, as it is rich in nutrients and proven to provide health benefits such as improving focus, aiding digestion, and overall benefitting the immune system.

According to an article entitled "A Study of Bird´s Nest" by two professors of The Chinese University of Hong Kong, after thorough study, it was proved that as early as Ming Dynasty (1536), there were written records about bird´s nest in Huang Zhong's "Hai Yu". In 1596, Tao Ben Jun as described bird´s nest as luxurious food product in "Minzhonghai Cuoshu (the earliest diction on Marine Biology in China)". After over 100 years of consumption and clinical testing, finally a number of scholars have approved the medical treatment effect of bird nest and instead of just another kind of food, it was considered as a precious nourishing item.

"In recent years, the two professors have been researching and performing repeated tests on bird nest. In experiments on cells in-vitro, bird nest is discovered to contain mitogenic stimulation factor and Epidermal Growth Factor to stimulate cell growth and reproduction. It also promotes tissue growth in human beings, cell division and boosts cell immunity. The bio-active protein molecules possessed the following properties:

1. Promotes regeneration of epidermal tissues.

2. Improves immunity of the body generated by cells.

Such bio-active protein molecules are readily absorbed by human bodies and differentiate bird´s nest protein from protein in other foods.At the same time, the report also showed that the mitogenic stimulation factor in bird nests stays active around 80°C, but is lost upon boiling.

This explained why bird nests need to be stewed over water in low heat. Bird nest can regulate hormones in human bodies, regulate body mechanism, strengthen the body, nourishes and give youthful complexion. It also provides energy to the body and promotes catabolism of fats.

Who should eat bird nests?

Nutritional Analysis

Per 100g

Source: Dictionary of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Xin Lin Shi Hua (Historical notes on medicine) and Food ingredients chart.