Vietnamese Swallow Birds Nest

Vietnamese Swallow Birds Nest

Swallow Birds Nest is the name of a famous food and traditional medicine, which is  made of Swallow Birds Nest. This is a fine dish in East Asian countries, such as Japan, Korea, China, Vietnam and many other countries. In Vietnam, the dish is ranked in the eight most prestigious dishes. Swallow Birds Nest soup is dubbed ‘The caviar of the East’. It is one of the most expensive dishes made from animals.

I/ What is Swallow Birds Nest?

In the breeding season, birds build their nest to lay eggs. Normally birds make nests with straws, dried plants, leaves or grass, but Swallow Birds Nests make their nests with their own saliva. Swallow Birds Nests are built during the breeding season by male for 35 days. The nest has a shape of a bowl, which is attached to a cave. It consists of several threads of the bird’s solidified saliva braided together.
The nests are found on cliffs or caves where the birds live. The harvested nests include the white Swallow Birds Nest (Aerodramus fuciphagus) and the black Swallow Birds Nest (Aerodramus maximus), but the white Swallow Birds Nest are the most popular and widely known. Due to the dangerous nature and limited number of islands that can be exploited, this type of Swallow Birds Nest is among the highest price compared to other types of Swallow Birds Nest on the market. White and pinky red nests are said to be richer in flavors and more nutritious.

II/ Classification of Swallow Birds Nest

1/Red Swallow Birds Nest
This is a type of nests with bright red color and is the most expensive type of edible Swallow Birds Nest because of its rarity and high demand. Not all producers have this type of nests. Red nests can only be harvested 1-2 times a year in a very small number. The number of red nests accounts for less than 10% of the total production of edible Swallow Birds Nest on the world market. People believe that the red color of the nest is the result of the birds not having enough saliva, so they have to mix their own blood to build their nest.
2/Pink Swallow Birds Nest
It is similar to the red nest in terms of price and scarcity. The nest is orange, but the color can vary from pantone tangerine to lemon. The darker the color, the higher the price.
3/White Swallow Birds Nest
White nests are the most popular nests in the market. They can be harvested 3-4 times annually. The number of white nest accounts for about 90% of the total number of edible Swallow Birds Nest in the world market.

III/ Effects On Human Health

There are many debates about the effects of the Swallow Birds Nest on health.
In some materials provided by the Swallow Birds Nest distributors, the nests have many rare nutrients, including many proteins and amino acids. In addition, they contain minerals, such as calcium, iron, potassium, phosphorus, and magnesium. Some other documents state that the nests are able to help with the lungs, strengthen the immune system, accelerate the process of cell regeneration, and help patients recover quickly. It is also used in research for combating against HIV due to its ability to stimulate white blood cells for antibody. According to some ancient documents, the Swallow Birds Nest were often served in royal feasts.
On the contrary, some other documents denied the effects of the nests, even condemned the use of them and said that the price of the nests were pushed up because of its scarcity as well as the misperception of consumers. With the fact that the nests are made of the saliva of Swallow Birds Nests, many people believe that the essence of the nest does not have any significant nutritional value and may even contain some harmful microorganisms. In addition, animal researchers believe that the consumption of the nests is the main reason for the decline in the number of Swallow Birds Nests.

IV/ Some Notes on Use

Pregnant women under 3 months and newborn babies under 7 months should not use Swallow Birds Nest. When using for babies, try slowly because it can cause allergies. People with blood disorders, such as diabetic patients, should not use it.
The nests should be cooked at a moderate temperature, not to be boiled above 100 degrees Celcius. Normally, the nests are steamed rather than directly cooked. Do not put in too much sugar as it will greatly reduce the positive effects of the nests.

V/ Where to Find Swallow Birds Nest in Vietnam

In Vietnam, natural Swallow Birds Nest can be found in some islands in many southern central provinces, such as Phu Yen or Khanh Hoa. The exploitation of Swallow Birds Nest is very dangerous due to the high bamboo scaffolding, rudimentary tools and rugged cliffs. Recently, some places have raised Swallow Birds Nests in their houses in the city to harvest Swallow Birds Nests, especially in Nha Trang City. The farms are designed to be close to the natural conditions where the birds live. Visitors can enjoy the traditional Swallow Birds Nest dishes in luxury restaurants in Nha Trang city.