Edible birds’ nests are one of the most widely accepted and used health foods in Asian communities with China, Hong Kong and Taiwan amongst the largest importers of this delicatessen also known as the “Caviar of the East”. Due to the positive health properties, consumption of these Birds’ Nests have had a major impact on the market, creating a multi-million dollar business, which in turn has also created a negative side – widespread selling of fake edible bird’s nests.
When we say a multi-million dollar business, we refer to the fact that a bowl of Bird Nest Soup, for example, will sell for between $30 USD and $100 USD, one kilo of white edible birds’ nest will sell for up to $3000 USD whereas one kilo of red edible birds’ nest will sell for approximately $10,000 USD, so no wonder there has been a sharp increase in fake nests.
There are many opinions about the real health properties of bird nest consumption, so much so that the truth about bird nests is often lost.
Where do Edible Birds’ Nests Come From?
These nests are built by Swiflets throughout the area surrounding the Indian Ocean, South East Asia, North Australia and the Pacific region. The nests are built with salivary glue produced by the male and often take approximately 20 days to complete. By means of the saliva, consumption of the nest contains all the essence from the swiflet’s diet making it beneficial in general for human well-being. A chemical analysis of the nest will show that it mainly comprises of water, soluble proteins, moisture as well as traces of fat, carbohydrates, calcium, potassium and sodium. As these edible nests are natural, it is common for them to also consist of vegetation and feathers.
There are two types of bird nests: cave and house nests
House nests are normally constructed in the attics of houses and quiet, abandoned areas but they are also controlled so that high quality nests can be produced and also safeguard the eggs from any danger.
Cave nests are mainly constructed in natural caves and the misconstrued idea is that because they are made in a natural environment they are purer and therefore sold at a much higher price but it would seem in fact that they contain more pollutants than the house nests.
What are the Benefits of Consuming Birds’ Nests?
It is believed that edible birds’ nests possess amazing properties that regenerate cells, regulate blood supply, improve skin complexion, reduce fatigue, anti-ageing properties, promote growth, reinforce the immune system and even anti-cancer attributes to name a few. Basically it is considered that these properties will afford the consumer such health benefits but it is not for this reason alone that this dish is so popular, it is also a pleasant food.
Special research to evaluate the medicinal properties of birds’ nest consumption is still taking place because even though the physical benefits are well known, they have yet to be scientifically proven.
In the early nineties a means to authenticate the nests using scanning and energy dispersing equipment was developed in an attempt to combat the influx of fake nests. Certain research does show that birds’ nests are rich in amino acids and antioxidants providing protein and lower the risk of infections and cancer.
But what are the facts about edible bird nests? Can it be proven that these wonderful health benefits are in fact true? With so many fake nests widely available on the market, what is the truth about bird nests? Are they harmful in any way?