A natural bird's nest is the real bird's nest. Illegal merchants may coat a layer of egg white or jelly on poor quality imitations. This increases the weight. The fake bird's nest will reflect light and look opaque.

In contrast, light will penetrate through a real bird's nest. Some fraudulent bird's nests are made of "Malaysia rubber" or "pig skin". The former smells and tastes acidic and does not contain nest threads while the latter releases oil after soaking in water.

As for the quality, generally speaking, the price is a fair guideline in reflecting the quality of the bird's nest. The higher the quality and category of a bird's nests, the greater the nutritional value, swelling capacity and beauty and vice versa.

Bird's nests are harvested 3 times per year, with each harvesting period generally lasting 3 months. The first period is from January to April, this is immediately followed by the second and third periods. The rainfall is particularly high during the first period this entices and environment highly suitable for the growth of tiny animals and plants giving the swiftlet plenty of food.

The swiftlet grow particularly strong and thereby produce copious amount of saliva. The bird's nest harvested during this period are the most expensive because they are big and thick, highly swollen and contain fewer impurities. The second harvesting period is during the dry season. There is a decrease in food supply for the swiftlet and this culminates in the bird’s nests being thin and loose and the nest thread are tick. The shape and the swelling capacity of the nests are poorer than those of the first periode. The third period is well within the drought season. During this period of the year the swiftlets are weak. Their secretion of saliva is low and the feathers detached. The bird’s nests that are constructed are smaller in size, contain greater impurities (e.g. feathers) and have a very poor swelling capacity.

Soak bird's nest in warm water for 30 minutes. After removing feather from the bird's nest, soak in the water for another 3 hours. Leave the soaking water for later use because it contains nutrition from the bird's nest.

Pour suitable amount of water and bird’s nest into a stewing pot. Stew over low heat for several hours.

(The stewing time differs according to the origin place)

• Shape and volume: the best bird's nests is in the shape of a boat or spoon. Bird's nest can be triangular in shape if they have been built in the corner of two adjacent walls. However for nutritional value the shape does not matter. Bird's nests that are broader in width rank higher. The real bird's nest should be in a natural shape.
• Color and Purity: The best bird's nest should be of natural colour, containing no mud and other impurities like moss. The colour of the white nest is an actual ivory. The yellow nest and the bloodyred nest are coloured straw and red, respectively. The variations and intensity in the colour are due to the difference in the mineral constituents of the food the swallow ate. The bird's nests, regardless of their colour, swell when soaked in clear water. The colouration in the bird's nest will fade and the nest threads look transparent after swelling. However, the water used for soaking should still remain transparent and colourless.
• Density and Swelling Capacity: Bird's nests that have finer and denser nest threads appear almost gapless. They are bigger and thicker in volume and should have a higher swelling capacity. The swelling capacity refers to the water holding ability of a bird's nest. The higher the swelling capacity, the greater the bird's nest distends after immersion in water. Bird's nests of different categories show different magnitudes of swelling capacity, i. e. the ratio between the weight of the bird's nest before and after swelling can be different. The swelling capacity should be measured by weight instead of by volume.
• Flavor and Dryness: Bird's nest should be selected by smell. A real bird's nest retains a little bit of a fishy smell of the swallow's saliva. When cooked, it releases a light aroma resembling the aroma of an egg white. It is essential to select a dry bird's nest. A bird's nest that is sticky and soft is certainly not dry enough. A wet bird's nest weighs heavier thus the price will be overcharged from the extra weight. A wet bird's nest would not be convenient for storage as it would attract mould easily and has a low swelling capacity.
• Price and Creditability: Bird's nests should be purchased in person and selected by "looking", "smelling" and "touching". The price of the bird's nest should be weighed against the flavor, size, thickness of the nest, fineness of the threads, dryness, and a good swelling capacity. It is not possible to buy a good quality bird's nest at fair price if the goods have not been examined and the quality and category evaluated. The most trustful way to purchase a high quality bird's nest is to buy from shops having a good reputation and guaranteed quality.

In the article "Yan Wo Kao" (The investigation on bird's nest) in Monthly Mingpao Vol. 231, Prof. Y. C. Kong and Prof. P. S. Kwan (1985) mentioned that in China the consumption of the bird's nest was first documented in the ancient Chinese literature "Hai Yu" (The language of the sea) (Huang, 1536) in the Ming Dynasty.

In "Min Zhong Hai Cuo Shu". Tu (1596) stated that the bird's nest is the food of the rich. However, the medicinal value of the bird's nest was only confirmed by several scholars about hundred years later after a long history of consumption and testing and has been promoted to be a nourishing and replenishing medicine with specific therapeutic effects.

The literature of "Ben Cao Bei Yao" (The essential notes of materia medica) (Wang, 1694) and "Ben Cao Feng Yuan" (The medicinal herbs in the wild) (Zhang, 1695) of the Qing dynasty show evidence that the ancient Chinese had the belief that the bird's nests did have some therapeutic effects and were used to cure disease.

In the years 1757 to 1871, many scholars ang experts had discussed in their literatures in details the transformation of the bird's nest from an expensive food to a precious medicine.

They include the scripts "Ben Cao Cong Xin" (New Compendium of materia medica), "Ben Cao Qiu Zhen" (New compilation of materia medica) and "Ben Cao Gang Mu Shi Yi' (A supplement to the Compendium of materia medica).

Prof.Kong further indicated that, according to Chinese literature, the bird's nest does have obvious healing effects to post-stage tuberculosis, gastric ulcers and bleeding of the lung. Beside, it can promote growth.

In recent years Prof. Y. C. Kong has been conducting detailed investigations on bird's nests.

Based on repeatable results of in vitro exposure experiments he has discovered that the bird's nest contain a "cell division inducing hormone" and an "epithelial growth factor" that can stimulate the growth and division of cells, thereby enhancing tissue growth, cellular regeneration and cell-mediated immunity in humans.

The investigations have provided good scientific evidence that supports the notion that the bird's nest can facilitate growth, replenish strength and vital energy, accelerate the recovery from disease and reinforce immunity. The specific animal proteins in an edible bird's nest have the following three functions :

1. To stimulate the regeneration of cells
2. To enhance cell-mediated immunity
3. To enhance the resistance of an individual to X-irradiated damage

This is the main reason why the proteins of other precious medicinal foods like the sea cucumber, abalone, scallop, and egg cannot be compared to those contained in the edible bird's nest.

The bird's nest help regulate the function of the endocrine system as well as other body functions. They strengthen the body, moisturize the skin, maintain beauty, provide energy and enhance the metabolism of fat. The bird's nests are adaptable for either sex or any age group.

The consumption of bird's nest during pregnancy can increase nutrition and improve the overall health of the mother and child and will give the infant a flexible mind. Woman consuming bird's nest after giving birth can recover more quickly and slim rapidly to help maintain their beauty.

The stomach and spleen of newborns function weakly. This can easily cause diarrhea and the loss of appetite. Feeding the newborns with bird's nest that has been dissolved in milk can improve these deficiencies. Babies that are 6 month old can be fed with rice porridge or congee containing bird's nest.

Children require more nutrition during their growing period. Being fed with bird's nests can help strengthen the body and stimulate the growth of the brain. Edible bird's nest not only tastes good but when served with rock sugar, fresh milk or oatmeal aids digestion and constipation.

For youngsters, always consuming bird's nest can enhance metabolism, strengthen various body functions and reinforce immunity. Besides, it can also smooth the skin and maintain eternal beauty. People, who are highly stressed and are busy in study and work can alleviate tiredness, relieve spiritual pressure and recover body strength through always consuming bird's nest.

Bird's nests are also beneficial to people who have just recovered from illness, who are old and weak, who suffer from asthma and who are always catching the cold or influenza. A regular diet of bird's nest can help alleviate the trachea, smooth breathing, benefit the control of asthma, expel phlegm, recover vital energy and extend longevity. It is particularly effective to those who have sleep disorders, bronchitis, coughs or hangovers. Bird's nests also show obvious therapeutic effects to help moisturize and replenish the lung and clear away intestinal heat.

Edible bird's nest is the nest made purely of swiftlet's saliva secretion. This nest is usually found in caves near shoreline cliffs or under eaves of house and is hand-collected. Hairs and filth are then removed from the nest before manufacturing.

The Swiftlet bird (scientifically named Collocalia, known as Walet in Indonesia) belongs to the Apodidae family, which is not the same as the common Swallow bird. Swiftlet birds live in flocks along tropical seaside and consume wild insects. From the appearance, Swiftlet differs from the so called "House Swallow" size wise. The average body length of a Swiftlet is 9 centimeters, about half the size of a Swallow.

Swiftlet has a shorter and rectangular-sharped tail while Swallow has a longer and forked tail.

The average life span of a Swiftlet is about 15 to 18 years. Its age influences the quality of its nest. In general, the older the bird is, the more simmer-tolerant the nest is.

Bird's Nest from a Clinical Experimental Point of View
According to a recent medical research reported by Hong Kong Chinese University, the cell division enzymeand hormone of bird's nest can promote reproduction and rebirth of human cells. The Glycoprotein content directly stimulates cell growth in human’s immune system.  As a result, body metabolism is enhanced and functional effects are greatly improved. Effective results of bird's nest are observed when they are consumed by children, elders, feedle  and sick people.

Bird's Nest from Traditional and Modern Chinese Medication's Point of View.
(Chinese Medication Dictionary)  Bird's Nest is used as restorative and remedial food since the Ching dynasty as recorded in (Major Herbs Guidebook) and (Major Herbs Digest). Previous clinical researches have concluded that bird's nest has a (sweet and calm) character. Bird's nest contributed medical benefits to lung, stomach and kidney neural system. Several ancient medicine books such as (New Major Herbs), (Southern Mountain Chronicle) and (New Herbs Revised) all recorded plenty of detail of bird's nest remedial benefits.

Bird's Nest from a Nutrition Point of View
The main nutrition contents of bird's nest are carbohydrate (30%) and protein (5%) although its protein content can be compare to that of milk or eggs. Bird’s nest also contains plenty of calcium and phosphorus, as well as some iron and iodine. There are still some other untraced compositions that may have medical benefits; hence we can not judge its value by the main nutrition  contents alone.

Bird's Nest from a Biochemical Point of View
The book (Evaluate Bird's Nest) written by a biochemist has also proven that protein contained in bird's nest have some bioactive elements which might have nourishing and replenishing effects on humans body.

The experts conclude that bird's nest has three main functions:

1. Enhances the rebirth of  cells and tissues.
2. Improves the immune system functions of our body
3. Improves the body's tolerance toward the damage done by X-rays or other radioactive reagents.

Bird's nest is an excellent restorative food with a sweet and calm character;  it is good for any age or gender
Ladies: Frequent consumption result in fairer skin, helps to stay young and look radiant.
Pregnant Women: Consumption during pregnancy will improve immune functions of the fetus and the mothers will be able  to recover easily after giving birth.
Elders: Clears phlegm, strengthen lungs and kidneys, improves spleen as well as enhances appetite.
Children: Enhances immune ability, not inclined to get colds or flu
Men: Improves kidney and strengthens lungs, so not inclined to get weak.

For thousands of years, bird's nest has been recognized as a royal food with the ability to nourish the yin, strengthen kidneys, alleviate the yang, advance spleen, moisten lungs, beautify as well as prolong consumer's lifespan.

Up until now, scientific research has continuously proven the fact that bird's nest contains plenty of natural nutrients and mineral such as glycoprotein, calcium, iron, phosphorous, iodine and vitamins, all of which can be absorbed easily by human. Bird's nest is indeed a very valuable natural restorative food

Bird's Nest is the nest where swiftlet birds secretly incubate their offspring. The remedial effects of bird's nest were frequently recorded in ancient books. However, its limited supply and its premium prices have rendered it a privilege among certain social and economical status.

Recently, under close examination by clinical experiments and scientific research, the nutrition values of bird's nest have further been proven, and thus more and more people now crave for this superb, skin-uplifting and restorative food.

The entire process of collecting, picking and choosing all influence the quality of a bird's nest. However, due to its high value, improper practices such as bleaching, coloring and ingredient stuffing, have often been employed, of which have bothered consumers to an unbearable extent. To purchase high quality bird's nest, it is advisable to choose a trustworthy merchant, letting the expert explain to you and help you pick what you need.

Otherwise, in return of a huge investment you might only get some counterfeit merchandise which may even be harmful to your body.

• Some suppliers use H2O2 to remove the odor caused by the products with inferior quality. The H2O2 is highly poisonous and may cause cancer. It has been banned by WHO from any food product
• SO2 and SO3 are being used by some suppliers to bleach out the dirty, blackish and yellowish colors from products with inferior quality. As known, SO2 and SO3 are also poisonous and may cause cancer if taken excessively. Only very few food items are allowed to contain SO2 or SO3 (less than 2 ppm) by WHO. In Japan, no food item is allowed to contain SO2 or SO3 with more than 1 ppm (1/1,000,000) in volume.

OUR BIRD'S NEST IS QUARANTEED FREE OF CHEMICAL ADDITIVES
For your health concern, we provide you a scientific test method to identify products contaminated with illegal chemicals that are extremely harmful to your health.

Most bird's nests are produced in Southeast Asia countries such as Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam; all of which produce high quality bird's nests. Among this, 80% of the production are from Indonesia with highly adeord quality and exported worldwide.

Identify Bird's Nest by Its Origin:
Cave Swiftlet, House Swiftlet, Grass Swiftlet and Hair Swiftlet

1. Cave Swiftlet: darker or yellowier, more hair and impurities, firmer and crispy feeling when eaten
2. House Swiftlet: generally whiter, softer, texture, less hair, smoother and tender feeling when eaten.
3. Grass Swiftlet and Hair Swiftlet: impurities are more then the nest itself, often used mixing with other things or grinded for other purpose.

Identify Bird's Nest by Its Color:
White Nest (also called "Noble Bird's Nest"), Yellow Nest, Orange Nest and Blood Nest

Identify Bird's Nest by Its Shape:
Cup shapes, lumpy, stripped, shredded, minced, ball shapes bird's nest. Leftovers from trimming whole nest cups can be made in to nest strips, nest cake or shredded nest mixture. They are all bird's nest, but due to the fact that they are made of nest rims, the appearances of these types of nests are not so nice and harder in texture.

1. Soak dry bird's nest in cold water (20°C – 25°C) for 2-4 hours (depend on each nest)
2. Dry the soaked bird's nest and tear into shreds, rinse it with clean water to eliminate impurity
3. Simmer in billing water for 5 minutes, dry it and immediately put into ice water for cooling

According to Chinese medicine, the sweet flavor mainly enters the spleen channel. Sweet food is gentle, not cold or hot in nature. It has properties that give an alleviating and replenishing effect to the body. Consuming adequate amounts of sweet food can regulate the body functions. The bird's nest tastes and swells better as sweet dish.

For preparing a sweet dish: The rock sugar should be added 15 min prior to completion of the dish. This will maintain the best qualities of the bird's nest.

A salty dish is referred to all foodstuffs that are seasoned with salt. Salt is cold in nature and tastes salty. It can clear away heat, cool the blood and expel toxins. The salty flavor mainly enters the kidney channel. Consuming adequate amounts of salt can replenish and nourish the kidney. It is particularly suitable for patients with diabetes mellitus.

For preparing a salty dish: the salt should be added to the bird's nest upon serving. If salt is added before cooking the bird's nest will disintegrate, shrink and become crunchy.

Hot is warm and dry and is Yang is nature. Its property is active, moving and open. Hot dishes are suitable for people whose bodies are cool or cold in nature.

Cold is cool and cold and is Yin in nature. Its properties are calming and resting. Cold dishes are suitable for people whose bodies are warm or hot in nature.

Traditional Chinese medicine extensively uses the theory of Yin and Yang to explain the histological structure, physiological function, and pathological changes of the human body, and to serve as guide for diagnosis of treatment.

Yin and Yang represent two opposite aspects of every object that always restricts and act on the other. Generally speaking, anything that is moving, ascending, bright, progressing, hyperactive, including functional disease of the body, pertains to Yang. The characteristics of stillness descending, darkness, degeneration, hypoactive, including organic disease, pertain to Yin.

In general, the consumption of sweet, salty, hot or cold dishes should depend on an individual's body.

Swell the bird's nest with one or two changes of clear water. The water need not be retained after swelling. Follow the swelling time printed on the package since this varies depending on the kind of bird's nest purchased.

Place the swollen bird's nest on a double-layer stainless steel strainer, rinse with tap water and at the same time tear the threats of the bird's nest apart to remove the impurities.

Bird's nest contains the precious salivary secretion of swallow. As with other foodstuff, it should be stored properly. The ideal method is to store the bird's nest in an airtight storage jar followed by refrigeration. Shopkeepers who stock good quality bird's nests should be able to offer valuable advice on correct storage. The bird's nest can be dried in front of the air-conditioner if it is wet. However, beware not to dry by baking or by direct sunlight.

Bird's Nest Can Be Categorized Into Two Main Type: House Nest And Cave Nest.

The House nest refers to nests that are build in wooden-roofed swallow farmhouses that are humid and dark. The interior temperature (28°C - 30°C), brightness and relative humidity (90%) are relatively similar to the conditions found in the bird’s natural cave habitat. The swiftlet leaves the farmhouse to find food in the wild in the morning and returns in the evening. Since the farmhouse provides the birds a better habitat, house nest contain extremely less impurities and feathers. The are cleaner, have an intact boat or spoon shape, and have a high swelling capacity. The white nests are smooth, while the yellow and bloody-red nests are crunchier because the contain more minerals than white nest.

The cave nest refers to nests constructed in caves and on cliffs. Owing to the harsh natural climate and environment, the nest is firm, hard and deep in color. It is not as well shaped as the house nest and exhibits higher impurities. The cave nest is crunchy with a low swelling capacity that lengthens the time for it to swell when preparing.

Pregnant woman and their foetus can benefit greatly from eating bird's nest. The regular consumption can increase nutrition and improve the health of the pregnant woman and foetus. The body and the immunity of the foetus can be strengthened and its mind activated. This thereby provides a firm foundation for future development. Woman consuming edible bird's nests after giving birth can also recover quicker and slim rapidly, helping to regain their youthful appearance.

The different products of bird's nests that can be found in the market include the natural whole nest, nest strips, nest pieces, nest threads and the irregular shaped nest cake processed from nest threads.

The marketed bird's nest are produced by three different swallow species

The Swiftlet: The nest of swiftlet is constructed entirely by its saliva and is commonly termed a whole nest. Since the swiftlet feet on the different food, the saliva and the nest differ in color, varying farm from mainly white, yellow, grey, red and purple. The whole nest gives the best nourishing and replenishing effects to humans. The cooked bird's nest taste mellow. (Swiftlets are small in size, only about 9 cm in length)

The Feathered Swallow: This little bird also constructs its nest from saliva and feathers. These nests are of less purity than the whole nest made by the swiftlet. After disintegration and removal of the feathers and impurities, the nest is molded into the shape of a nest cake. The nest cake comes in beautiful shapes and the colour is mainly white and yellow. The therapeutic value of the nest cake is only second to the whole nest. The nest cake has a good swelling capacity. The feathered swallow is found in caves in Malaysia. It has a slightly longer body than swiftlet.

The Grass Swallow: the body of the gross swallow is the grass is about 12 cm long. The nest is comprised of saliva and grass. Its purity is second to the nest of the feathered swallow and is the cheapest to purchase. Most of the nest pieces and nest threads sold in the markets are from gross swallows. They are the products after the nest has been disintegrated and impurities have been removed.Image The nest of grass swallow is mainly grassy and yellow in color. The swelling capacity is low but the price is reasonable. It is an excellent choice for beginner.

originally extracted from www.naturalnest.com