Bird's nest: Telling the real from the fake

2010/03/29
NST



NEGRI Sembilan Association of Bird's Nest Traders president Datuk Lee Yuen Fong says edible bird's nest is among the most expensive animal products in the world and has been used in traditional Chinese cooking for almost half a decade.

"The nests are composed of interwoven strands of salivary laminae cement and have high levels of calcium, iron, magnesium and potassium. The male swiftlet builds the nest, which is shaped like a shallow cup and is stuck to the walls of buildings and caves."

Lee says the nests are harvested thrice a year, with each harvest lasting up to three months.

He says swiftlets are monogamous birds and both partners take part in caring for the nestlings. The average lifespan of a swiftlet is between 15 and 18 years.

He says there is an increasing number of fake bird's nests making their way into the market. But anyone who is familiar with the product will be able to tell the difference.

"For one, swiftlets build their nests from their saliva, which is formed into strands. These strands can be detached into layers when soaked in plain water and, as a result, will be of different lengths and sizes. Fake ones will be perfect in size."

He also says the genuine bird's nest should be able to expand to double its size after being soaked and cooked.

Not easy to make the right choice

Friday October 30, 2009
The Star


SWITLFETS make their nests using interwoven strands of their saliva.

The gelatinous and semi-transparent substance is much sought after by the Chinese for its rich nutrients that are said to enhance one’s health and beauty.

They are easily available in most Chinese medicine halls as bottled nests in sugary soup and boxes of whole nests.

Malaysian Federation of Associations of Bird’s Nests Merchants secretary Mah Swee Lye, shared some tips on how to choose the bird’s nests.


photo: A swiftlet sitting on a nest.

First and foremost, no two bird’s nests are the same.

“If they are genuine ones made by the swiftlets, their shapes and sizes vary,” he said.

Secondly, they retain a fishy smell.

“Flies are attracted to the pile of nests we harvested, showing that genuine bird’s nests really do have an odour,” Mah said.

Thirdly, the whiter it is, the more cautious one should be because it might have been bleached.

“It’s okay if the nest contains tiny bits of feather — this is a sure sign that the nest is made by swiftlets,” Mah said.

While it is not easy to differentiate genuine and fake bird’s nests just by looking, he advised consumers to shop for reliable brands.

Are birdnests really healthy?

Article from The Star

WHILE the consumption of birds' nests has riled some and is misunderstood by others, the Chinese swear by the health properties of these nests created by swiftlets.

A gelatinous bowl of double-boiled birds' nests is believed to slow ageing, improve the complexion, cure coughs, and even improve your sex drive!

Are birds' nests really healthy or are they merely a status symbol prized by the Chinese – all the way since the Tang Dynasty (618CE-907CE), by the way.

"Extracts of birds' nests were found to have a direct stimulating effect on cell renewing and regeneration. They may also slow down the ageing process," says Dr Christopher Lim, kidney specialist, Universiti Putra Malaysia associate professor, and swiftlet farmer.

In Chinese traditional medicine, bird's nest is recommended for a dry, heaty, chronic cough with blood stained phlegm. – File photo courtesy of Eu Yan Sang

Research conducted by the Chinese University of Hong Kong has discovered that the soluble glycol protein and amino acids (aspartic acid, glutamic acid, praline, theonine, and valine) in the saliva the swiftlets use to construct their nests could strengthen the human immune system and promote good skin.

One of the major components of the carbohydrates found in the saliva is sialic acid. It has been found that exogenous (originating outside the body) sources of sialic acid may contribute to neurological and intellectual advantages in infants.

The birds' saliva also contains glucosamine, a substance that reportedly protects joints from degenerating.

Researchers at the University of Shizuoka in Japan have discovered that extracts from edible bird nests contain anti-flu properties.

Elderly people believe that cave nests are better as it takes up to three hours to double boil them while nests farmed in houses or other manmade structures take only 30 minutes. Dr Lim has a different view, though.

"If the proteins take three hours of double boiling to break down, they might not be easily digested in the human body," he says. "Furthermore, cave nests have a higher sodium and mineral content, which may be unsuitable for those with high blood pressure, kidney stones, or thalassemia.

"Birds' nests are one of the most nutritious organic foods available and are absolutely halal," he adds.
■ Some information sourced from ‘Make Millions from Swiftlet Farming: A Definitive Guide' by Dr Christopher Lim.