Dried Bird’s Nest
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English name: Bird’s Nest (literal translation: “swallow’s nest”)
Chinese name: 燕窩 (Mandarin : yànwō/ Cantonese: jin1wo1)Bird’s nest has been a Chinese delicacy for centuries. The nest consists of interwoven strands of saliva built on the side of a cave during mating season. The world’s bird’s nest originates from South East Asia, mainly Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand. The edible bird’s nests are among the most expensive animal products consumed by humans.
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Coveted for its rich proteins and minerals, taking bird’s nest regularly helps stimulate the appetite, speed recovery from illness, invigorate the lungs, boost immunity, and improve the body’s overall metabolic functions. As an added bonus, it helps your keep skin looking youthful and glowing!
Bird’s nest is particularly suitable for pregnant women. It is extremely rich in proteins and other nutritional elements like amino acids, mucin and lipids. These elements play a vital role in the absorption of nutrients within the body and improving metabolic functions. This can significantly contribute to the healthy development of the fetus and the post-natal vigor of the mother.
How do I select bird’s nest?
Cave nests (洞燕) are considered more premium than house nests because they are harvested from natural caves rather than man-made facilities. High-quality bird’s nest holds up well during long cooking, maintaining a firm texture with a slight “bite” rather than melting away.
Be cautious of imitation nests, which are often made from gelatin and lack the nutritional benefits of genuine bird’s nest. Premium nests can appear in a rich red cup shape, known as “blood nest” (血燕). This natural red color comes from minerals, like iron, absorbed from the cave walls, combined with the cave’s humid environment, which causes a slight oxidation.
It’s important to note that whiter nests are not necessarily cleaner—some producers lightly bleach nests to enhance their appearance and claim they are free of feathers. True quality lies in the texture, natural color, and purity of the nest.
Our professional sales team can guide you through and answer any questions you may have when purchasing dried bird’s nest.
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Gently rinse your dried bird’s nest and place it into a clean bowl. Cover with plenty of cold water and soak for 5–6 hours or until the strands loosen and turn slightly translucent. Once softened, simply use tweezers to remove any remaining tiny feathers or natural fibers.
Today’s producers generally well-clean bird's nest — so only minimal tidying is needed before cooking.
Important:
Please avoid hot water and any contact with oil during soaking. This helps maintain both the nutrients and the naturally delicate texture. -
Sweet Preparation
Serves: 2
You’ll need:
1 piece of bird’s nest (3–5g)
Optional: goji berries, dried longan, rock sugar
Steps:
Tear the soaked bird’s nest into fine strands. Rinse goji berries and longan.
Divide the nest into two small bowls and add fresh water.
Place the bowls into a double-boiler or steam pot. Once the water boils, reduce to low heat and slow-simmer for 40–60 minutes.
Add goji berries and longan during the final 20 minutes, and rock sugar 5–10 minutes before finishing.
Tip: Adding sugar too early may cause the nest to dissolve — so save it for last for the best texture.
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Savory Preparation
Serves: 3–4
You’ll need:
Chicken, pork, or quail (choose one)
Bird’s nest (one piece per person)
A pinch of salt to taste
Steps:
Rinse the meat, blanch briefly to remove impurities, then cut into pieces.
Add the meat and soaked nest into a pot, cover with water, and slow-simmer for about 2 hours.
Season lightly with salt before serving.
A nourishing, gentle broth to share.
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Convenient Ready-to-Enjoy Option
When life gets too busy, ready-to-eat bottled bird’s nest make nourishment effortless.
It’s prepared to preserve its natural goodness and can be enjoyed straight from the jar — anytime, anywhere.Perfect for daily wellness, gifting, or savoring a quiet moment for yourself.