ABOUT BIRD NEST

Bird nest has been very well known since Tang Dynasty (618-907). Bird nest has high value selling because it is good for health, even it is believed that bird nest is good for lungs, good for blood circulation and it can increase the stamina. Pregnant women is very strongly recommended to consume the bird nest so that their wombs would be strong
Bird nest is good not only for the health, but bird nest also good for the skin face. It prevents premature aging
Now, I’m going a bit tell you about “the history” of bird nest. The bird which produces bird nest is Swallow. The swallow likes eating insects and the body of the swallow is thin and small, so that when they fly, they’ll fly aerodynamically.
The swallow never nest in trees. They like nesting in humid, dark and no density population and swallow does not like pests.
The pests such as rats, cockroaches, lizards, would disturb the swallow because they would eat the swallow’s egg.

Perhaps you are wondering what part of the swallow were taken. Human take the bird’s silvary glands which become enlarged, and produce thick, sticky, ropy saliva which hardens, once exposed to air. Over a period of weeks the birds construct a bowl shaped nest of several layers. The first Birds Nest harvest is before the Swifts have a chance to lay their eggs and a second harvest is done after the young swiftlets have left the nest. The second harvest is considered a lower grade of birds nest. There are a few types of Birds Nest, the highest quality being White Birds Nest which comes from the first harvest. Red Birds Nest, the color is caused by the bird’s diet and not the bird’s blood as originally thought. Golden and Black Birds Nest, which are thought to be the lowest quality due to the amount of feathers, plant and dirt particles embedded in the nests.

The main nutritional contents are carbohydrates, glycoprotein, calcium, phosphorous, iron, iodine, and vitamins. Birds Nest is rich in amino acids and antioxidants, the two essential elements that help to generate new cells and counter free radical damage. Regular consumption has been clinically proven to stimulate cell growth and renewal, improve complexion, promote skin clarity and tone, strengthen the bodies immune system and enhance metabolism.

To prepare the Birds Nest you first soak the nest in water for several hours, periodically changing the water. Any left over particles should be removed. Once the nest has softened it is then placed into a ceramic urn with water (about one cup per nest) and rock sugar. The urn is then covered and placed into a boiling pot of water and boiled for an up to four hours.