You might have heard of an edible bird’s nest, and some of you may even have a chance to try it. However, most of you seem to be mystified by this delicacy. Right? So, what exactly the edible bird’s nest is? Why is it so popular and expensive? Is there any scientific data that proves the health benefits of this mysterious thing?
So, let’s find out the answers to these puzzling questions that pop up in your mind when you hear about the edible bird’s nest!
Things You Need to Know About Edible Bird’s Nest
What is Edible Bird’s Nest Made of?
An edible bird’s nest[1] (aka Swallow Nest or Yan Wo) is a bird’s nest produced from the solidified salivary of a few rare species of swiftlets - a small native to Southeast Asia. Usually, the majority of edible bird’s nests are obtained from two species: the White-Nest Swiflet and the Black-Nest Swiflet.
When hearing about edible bird's nest, the first image that comes to the minds of many people is a nest built from twigs and other types of plant materials, which is not true. Instead, they are made of hardened saliva excreted by a few selected species of swiftlets.
As edible bird's nests are typically found in the wild, these nests contains impurities like feathers, soil, and debris, which are meticulously cleaned before they are suitable for human consumption.
How Edible Bird’s Nests are Processed?
The process of cleaning edible bird's nests are highly time-consuming and labor-intensive. The raw nests are initially soaked in water until the individual bird nest strand has expanded and softened. Then, impurities like feathers, eggshells, fine plumage, and sand particles are removed with tweezers.
After cleaning the edible bird’s nest, the cleaned strands of bird's nest are re-arranged and molded to resemble its original shapes. Then, they are air-dried and sterilized into the edible bird’s nest you know and see.
Are there any Health Benefits of an Edible Bird’s Nest?
The ancient Chinese communities used the edible bird’s nest as a soup ingredient. Today, many different communities utilize this soup ingredient as a medical supplement and a remedy. This is due to the high content of both micronutrients and macronutrients found in edible bird nests.
Researchers say that glycoproteins and carbohydrates are the main ingredients of an edible bird’s nest that support several body functions.[2] Additionally, the nest contains minerals such as iron, zinc, sodium, manganese, magnesium, and calcium as well as trace amounts of lipids.
Above all, edible bird’s nests are enriched with bioactive compounds that might have several health-promoting benefits. These compounds include antioxidants, amino acids, epidermal growth factors (EGF), glucosamine, lactoferrin, sialic acid, vitamins, and fatty acids.
In addition to improving your health, an edible bird’s nest has long been promoted as a beauty treatment. Many has made claims that it moisturizes your skin, making it look brighter as well as protecting it from oxidation.
Also, edible bird’s nests aim to deliver anti-aging properties and protect your skin’s natural barrier. Recent studies show that these nests can improve sagging skin, strengthen facial collagen, and enhance skin texture.[3]
Final Words
In conclusion, an edible bird’s nest is considered a traditional delicacy and has been used for centuries. It has been linked to several health benefits, such as improving bone health, combating illness, and strengthening facial collagen.
With various ways to enjoy an edible bird’s nest, we encourage you to give our 3-ingredient, ready to eat, premium bird's nest soup remedy a try!
References
[1] Chua, Y. G., Chan, S. H., Bloodworth, B. C., Li, S. F. Leong, L. P. November 2014. Identification of Edible Bird’s Nest with Amino Acid and Monosaccharide Analysis. Agric. Food Chem., vol. 1, No. 63, Pg. 279-289. https://doi.org/10.1021/jf503157n
[2] Tai, S. K., Koh, R. Y., Ng, K. Y., Chye, S. M. June 2017. A Mini Review on Medicinal Effects of Edible Bird’s Nest. Lett Health Biol Sci., Vol 2, No. 1, Pg. 65 - 67. https://doi.org/10.15436/2475-6245.17.016