Jan 8, 2012
This trip to Vietnam, our business partner asked me to bring for them bird nest from Indonesia. They will give it to their customers as a gift as Lunar New Year – or they call it Tet- is coming. In Asia, bird’s nests are popular luxury gifts as they believe it will keep them young.
According to an old legend, an ailing king fled to a deserted island during turbulent times. There, he happened to consume the nest of a type of swallow, which gave him new strength and vitality. The reinvigorated king regained his throne. Since then, birds’ nests were deemed as a magical tonic to boost the vitality of kings and improve the beauty of concubines..
Thanks to its ability to reduce fatique, birds’ nests were listed among the eight “supreme delicacies” that were exclusive to the ancient royal courts, namely pheasant sausages, phoenix terrine, rhino skin, bear’s paw, deer tendon, birds’ nests, orangutan lips and elephant feet. Of these, only birds’ nests are still appreciated today on account of their high nutritional value.
In yesteryears , birds’ nests were harvested from steep cliffs in the wilderness. Climbers sailed far and wide in search of the birds’ nests. Today, birds’ nest farms are big business, as many people believe that these nests have medicinal properties.
HOW IS IT EATEN?
You can add a bit of cane sugar to the bowl of soaked birds’ nest. It should be boiled at low temperature for 30 minutes. Birds’ nest can also be immersed in a broth of steamed chicken with shredded chicken meat. It can be cooked with red apple, longan or ginkgo.
Birds’ nest in cane sugar..
To eat with ginkgo
THE MAGIC OF NATURE
Researchers claim that birds’ nests contain eight key minerals and 18 amino acids that bolster body functions, reducing risks of cancer and lengthening seniors’ lives. Birds’ nest are also said to slow down the visible signs of aging due to collagens created by proline and threoline. Some studies suggest that these nests can aid the formation of new cells, especially in cartilage and blood cells, allowing people to recover from illness and injury.
Picture of birds’ nest..
Come back to my story. In Vietnam, the local birds’ nest is not highly appreciated. They like it from Indonesia and willing to pay much higher price.
One kilogram of birds’ nest can cost USD 3000 – 4000/kg depending on quality.
Actually not only Vietnam, in other countries, they also prefer birds’ nest from Indonesia.
*****
*****
