swallow birds nest: tháng 7 2018

Thứ Tư, 4 tháng 7, 2018

The Future of Swallow Birds Nest as a Neutraceutical and Pharmaceutical Animal Bioproduct.

Swallow Birds Nest (EBN) is the dried saliva of swiflets that are found mainly in Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines and Vietnam. Only the nests produced by the four swiftlet species viz. Collocalia fuciphaga, Collocalia germanis, Collocalia maxima and Collocalia unicolor are important commercially due to their health benefits when consumed by humans. EBN has different names in different languages such as Yan Wo in Chinese, Sarang Walet in Indonesian and Enso in Japanese. EBNs are classified as cave and house nests depending upon the origin of the nests regardless which species of swiftlets has built the nests. Nests are graded on account of their dry mass, the time spent by swiftlets in nest building, and their fat and protein content. On this basis, nests are generally classified as white, black and blood nests. White nests have major contents of saliva, while the black nests contain around 45-55% feathers and small dried leaves. The third class belongs to partially or completely dull orange red to brownish red nests. Such nests are called Xueyan or Xueyanwo in Chinese or red blood nests in general. Blood nests are believed to have better health values and thus, fetch a higher price than white and black nests in the market.

Gel Electrophoresis Ideally Identifies and Authenticates Cave and House Swallow Birds Nests from Common Adulterants.

Conference: Conference: 10th South East Asian Technical University Consortium (SEATUC), Shibaura Institute of Technology (SIT), Japan., At Japan

Swallow Birds Nest (EBN) is a high price animal bioproduct found in the Southeast Asian region of the world. Primarily, EBN is used as a food in addition to its uses in several nutraceutical and pharmaceutical products. Extra care is always needed for ensuring its purity and quality. For earning extra profits, people adulterate different fake materials into EBN to raise its weight and earn extra money. This is a serious offense, and therefore, it is very important to develop methods and protocols with ability to differentiate EBN from the adulterants for the authentication of pure EBN. In this direction, we developed a gel electrophoretic method for differentiating cave and house EBNs from white fungus, jelly, fish swimming bladder and egg white. In order to identify the adulterants and authenticate EBN; efforts were made to investigate and compare the protein profiles of cave and house EBNs with white fungus, jelly, fish swimming bladder and egg white. The protein profiling indicated 10 bands for cave nests with two strong bands at 30 and 35 kDa. House nest proteins consisted of 9 bands with major bands at 120 and 140kDa. White fungus displayed three dim bands at 22, 35 and 75 kDa whereas egg white was found to contain two predominant bands at 35 and 75 kDa. Fish swimming bladder showed substantial streaking of protein bands after dilution whereas protein profile of jelly was without any band. The results of this study can be used for the identification of any of these fake materials in EBN, and establishing the authenticity of the genuine EBN. The method reported is simple and can be used in EBN industry in the Southeast Asian region for checking the adulteration of EBN.

Sea Swallow Birds Nest - Seaweed

Seaweed or Sea Swallow Birds Nest collagen content is 10 times higher than Swallow Birds Nest and it's calcium is 37 higher than fish liver. Collagen makes up about 25% to 35% of the whole-body protein content.

Seaweed Nutrition Data

- Seaweed could be found in vegetables while the remaining 64 minerals “only” exist in seaweeds. This includes Omega-3 and 6, which is crucial for mental development/function for growing children. Seaweed can maintain Acid/Base homeostasis in circulation and lymphatic system. It also prevent Cardiovascular, Bony and mental ailments, for example memory loss and depression. It further helps to reduce blood sugar level and control High Blood Pressure. Fucoidan and retinol in seaweed has anti-cancer and anti-viral properties. While Fucosterol reduces cholesterol by loss of bile acid, thereby prevent arteriosclerosis. Seaweed contains essentials nutrients and can act as nutritional supplements for vegetarians and also helps to alleviate post menopausal symptoms. Seaweed also contains multivitamins which is essential for all. Seaweed increasingly used as a health supplement in an attempt to prevent both chronic and lifestyle diseases including obesity related disorder. Until today, Seaweed is the only natural and complete food for human needs. The seaweed consumption benefits us in 2 categories : Health & Beauty.

1. Beauty Benefits

a. Correct fine lines, wrinkles, age spots and even your skin tone
b. Anti-aging and have younger-looking skin
c. Brighten and smoothen your skin
d. Smooth the cracked and dry heels
e. No more pimples
f. Say good bye to eye bag/ dark circle eyes
g. Firm up your saggy breasts
h. And more…

2. Health Benefits

a. Cancer Protection :
Lignans have been shown to inhibit angiogenesis, or blood cell growth, the process through which fast-growing tumors not only gain extra nourishment, but send cancer cells out in the bloodstream to establish secondary tumors or metastases in other areas of the body.
In addition, lignans have been credited with inhibiting estrogen synthesis in fat cells as effectively as some of the drugs used in cancer chemotherapy. In postmenopausal women, fat tissue is a primary site where estrogen is synthesized, and high levels of certain estrogen metabolites are considered a significant risk factor for breast cancer. In addition to lignans, seaweed is a very good source of the B-vitamin folic acid. Studies have shown that diets high in folate-rich foods are associated with a significantly reduced risk for colon cancer.
b. Healthy Thyroid Function :
The health benefits of sea vegetables are not limited to cancer protection. Seaweed is also nature's richest sources of iodine, which as a component of the thyroid hormones thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), - both of which are essential to human life. The thyroid gland adds iodine to the amino acid tyrosine to create these hormones. Without sufficient iodine, your body cannot synthesize them. Because these thyroid hormones regulate metabolism in every cell of the body and play a role in virtually all physiological functions, an iodine deficiency can have a devastating impact on your health and well-being. A common sign of thyroid deficiency is an enlarged thyroid gland, commonly called a goiter. Goiters are estimated to affect 200 million people worldwide, and in all but 4% of these cases, the cause is iodine deficiency.
c. Nutrient Prevention of Birth Defects :
Additionally, the folic acid so abundant in sea vegetables plays a number of other very important protective roles. Studies have demonstrated that adequate levels of folic acid in the diet are needed to prevent certain birth defects, including spina bifida. Folic acid is also needed to break down an intermediate dangerous chemical called homocysteine. The chemical Homocysteine can directly damage blood vessel walls, and high levels of this chemical are associated with a significantly increased risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke.
d. Cardiovascular Disease :
Sea vegetables pack a double punch against heart disease. In addition to their folic acid, sea vegetables are also a very good source of magnesium, which has been shown to reduce high blood pressure and prevent heart attack.
e. Seaweed for Stress Relief :
Seaweed also has been proven to provide support through stressful situations by supplying not only magnesium, but pantothenic acid and riboflavin--two B-vitamins necessary for energy production. Pantothenic acid is especially important for the health of the adrenal glands. The adrenals control many body functions and play a critical role in resistance to stress. When supplies of necessary nutrients like pantothenic acids are inadequate, stressful times can exhaust the adrenal glands resulting in chronic fatigue, reduced resistance to allergies and infection, and a feeling of being overwhelmed or overly anxious.
f. Others :
Such as obesity, diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, psoriasis, migraine, high blood pressure, diabetic and other degenerative diseases

How to use this seaweed ?

It can be used as face mask and consume as dessert, pudding, salad, soup or adding into your favorite juice. Upon your purchase we will provide you the usage instructions.

How much seaweed should you be eating?

Consume 5 to 15 grams (1/6th to 1/2 ounces ). Another words, 3 spoonful before meal in the morning and before sleep.

Who is seaweed NOT good for?

Although packed with nutrition, seaweed can be problematic in those with weak digestive strength. How do you know your digestion is weak? Some clues are loose stools, and chronic fatigue. These people need to be careful with their seaweed intake since seaweed is energetically cold (and digestion is a warm process). Also, consult your doctor if you are on thyroid medications.
Seaweeds also lower plasma glucose levels, so if you’re new to seaweed in your diet and you take diabetic medications, you need to be careful that your blood sugar levels don’t drop too low. The flip side of this is that if your blood sugar levels are too high, one of the benefits of eating seaweed is that it can help lower it! Not suitable for pregnant and confinement female.

Swallow Birds Nest – American Ginseng With White Fungus And Rock Sugar

Get the best natural food to boost immunity. Full of protein, rich amino acids, and nutrients to boost skin regeneration, muscle repair and slow down agin

A natural Superfood is known by Royalty since thousand of years

Since ancient times, the medicinal benefits of Swallow Birds Nest have been well documented by Emperors and the royal court. It is a great health delicacy and widely recognized as one of the four great tonic foods since the late Ming and early Qing Dynasties. Swallow Birds Nest is rich in protein and essential amino acids, enhancing the reproduction, growth, and recovery for human tissue. These nutrients are quite rare and our human body does not produce them.
Traditional Chinese medical doctors praise Swallow Birds Nest in improving human immunity, increasing energy, and curing diseases. Modern medical science has concluded that Swallow Birds Nest may improve human immunity, postpone aging, and prolong life. Studies also show that Swallow Birds Nest can reduce blood pressure, prevent tumors, reduce chemotherapy side effects and is especially beneficial for maternal health. On the whole, Swallow Birds Nest is effective in both healthcare and medical treatment.

BENEFITS OF EATING SWALLOW BIRDS NEST

Amino acids, being the second largest component in our bodies, are mainly responsible for 3 things:
(1) maintaining our bodily functions,
(2) muscles and tissues repair and,
(3) metabolism.
Essential amino acids cannot be created by our bodies and are required to be taken in as food, and replenished on a daily basis.
Studies show that long term consumption of Swallow Birds Nest, which is a super food rich in amino acids, have the following health benefits:
• improve blood pressure
• aid in muscle/tissue repair in the healing / recovering process
• improve metabolism
• improve human immunity
• nourishes the lungs
• stops colds as it clears up the chest
• increasing energy
• postpone aging and prolong life.
• prevent tumors
• reduce chemotherapy side effects

Swallow Swallow Birds Nest Is Highly Recommended For Pregnant Ladies!

Swallow Birds Nests are almost 100% proteins and essential amino acids. Protein plays a crucial role in almost all biological processes and amino acids are the building block of it. Amino acids are biologically important organic compounds.
A large proportion of our cells, muscles, and tissue are made up of amino acids, which carry out important bodily functions, such as giving cells their structure. They, therefore, play a key role in the transport and storage of nutrients and significantly influence the function of organs, glands, tendons, and arteries. This helps in the healthy development of the foetus.
The amino acids are essential for healing wounds and repairing tissue, especially in the muscles, bones, skin, and hair, as well as for the removal of bodily wastes produced in the body in connection with metabolism. This helps new mummies to recover after giving birth.
The entire amino acid pool in our body transforms several times a day through complex biological processes within our body. In order to achieve a balanced metabolism, this pool of essential amino acid is required to be complete and maintained in a correct mix. Consuming Swallow Birds Nests regularly help pregnant women and new mummies to achieve a well-balanced metabolism and maintain good energy level.
A number of essential amino acids cannot be created by the human body and so, must be taken in as food. Consuming Swallow Birds Nests on a regular basis is one of the most efficient ways to help replenish the body with such amino acids, which will help strengthen the immunity of pregnant women and new mummies.

Swallow Birds Nest Or Collagen Supplement

I have a confession to make today.

I seriously think that I’ve reached an age where skin care is QUEEN and any product that can help to battle fine lines, wrinkles and sagging skin would get my attention.
Besides skin care products, I also believe in ‘beauty from within’. That simply means paying attention to what we put into our body and not just what we put on it. The key is to achieve great skin by staying hydrated, eating a balanced diet (especially food that is rich in anti-oxidants) and taking beauty supplements to tackle specific beauty concerns.

Recently, I went to Eu Yan Sang to purchase some health supplement for my mother-in-law. I saw their premium concentrated Swallow Birds Nest series on the shelf. When I saw these words on the packaging – best rejuvenating supplement and maintain glowing completion, I was totally sold!
In our Chinese history, the empresses and concubines ate Swallow Birds Nest for health and beauty. Swallow Birds Nest is one of the best tonic foods trusted by generations. But is it really that good as compared to those collagen supplements that we have now?
Now, I’m wondering which one is better… Swallow Birds Nest or Collagen Supplement? What do you think?

Swallow Birds Nest Or Collagen Supplement

Swallow Birds Nest – American Ginseng With White Fungus And Rock Sugar

Get the best natural food to boost immunity. Full of protein, rich amino acids, and nutrients to boost skin regeneration, muscle repair and slow down agin

A natural Superfood is known by Royalty since thousand of years

BENEFITS OF EATING SWALLOW BIRDS NEST

Swallow Swallow Birds Nest Is Highly Recommended For Pregnant Ladies!

Is it safe to eat Swallow Birds Nest in pregnancy?

The short answer is no, for various reasons.

Swallow Birds Nest is a traditional Chinese delicacy believed to contain restorative powers. It is said to have anti-ageing properties. Many also believe Swallow Birds Nest can help strengthen the immune system.
The nutritional value of Swallow Birds Nest is believed to come from the saliva of the swiftlet which builds its nests in caves near the shoreline. Some nests are also "farmed" in purpose-built nesting houses. However, it is important to note that these claims about nutritional value have not been conclusively and scientifically proven.

Due to its short supply, the cost of Swallow Birds Nest has also escalated. So pregnant mums end up paying a lot of money for something that has not been proven to make any difference to the health of mother or baby.
The other issue is that of extracting or harvesting the Swallow Birds Nest. Unregulated harvesting methods and improper preparation have led to claims of producers bleaching and colouring the nests. Some have reportedly added ingredients without supervision. In the process, there may be contamination of the Swallow Birds Nest, which may harm mother or baby.

Is it safe to eat Swallow Birds Nest in pregnancy?

Swallow Birds Nest Or Collagen Supplement

I have a confession to make today.
I seriously think that I’ve reached an age where skin care is QUEEN and any product that can help to battle fine lines, wrinkles and sagging skin would get my attention.
Besides skin care products, I also believe in ‘beauty from within’. That simply means paying attention to what we put into our body and not just what we put on it. The key is to achieve great skin by staying hydrated, eating a balanced diet (especially food that is rich in anti-oxidants) and taking beauty supplements to tackle specific beauty concerns.

Recently, I went to Eu Yan Sang to purchase some health supplement for my mother-in-law. I saw their premium concentrated Swallow Birds Nest series on the shelf. When I saw these words on the packaging – best rejuvenating supplement and maintain glowing completion, I was totally sold!
In our Chinese history, the empresses and concubines ate Swallow Birds Nest for health and beauty. Swallow Birds Nest is one of the best tonic foods trusted by generations. But is it really that good as compared to those collagen supplements that we have now?
Now, I’m wondering which one is better… Swallow Birds Nest or Collagen Supplement? What do you think?

Swallow Birds Nest – American Ginseng With White Fungus And Rock Sugar

Get the best natural food to boost immunity. Full of protein, rich amino acids, and nutrients to boost skin regeneration, muscle repair and slow down agin

A natural Superfood is known by Royalty since thousand of years

BENEFITS OF EATING SWALLOW BIRDS NEST

Swallow Swallow Birds Nest Is Highly Recommended For Pregnant Ladies!

Prepared Foods: Swallow Birds Nest

It's expensive, it's gelatinous, it's made from swiftlet spit.

Swiftlets in Southeast Asian caves have an unusual method of building their nests: spitting. The birds’ saliva sticks to cave walls, then hardens into firm, white cups that house their eggs. After the birds migrate, brave harvesters scale rickety bamboo ladders and peel away the nests. They will be made into a very unique, very expensive soup.

Why is Swallow Birds Nest expensive?

Peddlers justify the hefty price tag, which can range from $40 per bowl to thousands of dollars per pound, by citing the small yield and dangerous harvesting process. (Many gatherers fall to their deaths—not that the money is going directly to them.)
Despite the decadence of its expense, the nest itself has a bland flavor. This is why chefs clean the dried saliva in water and season it with chicken broth, ginger, and Yunnan ham. A dessert version coats the noodles in rock sugar for a more syrupy effect. After simmering with the other ingredients, the nest develops a uniquely gelatinous texture that attracts many fans in China and Hong Kong.
Chinese traditional medicine practitioners believe the dish relieves digestive problems, clears the complexion, and boosts the libido. Critics, however, note that the soup lacks sufficient nutritional value to justify its price tag. A 1998 study, for example, found that a single egg had the same amount of protein as 26 bottles of the soup.

Prepared Foods: Swallow Birds Nest

Conservationists have also noted that over-harvesting disrupts breeding and reduces swiftlet populations. Due to growing demand, poachers often steal nests from protected areas or gather them before the birds’ migration season, while the eggs are still inside. The competitive industry has also sparked violence: A 2000 exposé in the SF Gate described government-licensed harvesters employing private armies to guard caves and shoot at both poachers and “unauthorized” passersby such as fishermen and tourists.
For a safer, more sustainable method of collecting nests, countries like Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, and Indonesia have turned to swiftlet farming. Swiftlet houses, looming structures that play special sounds to lure the birds inside, are becoming big business. In 2013, there were 60,000 such houses in Malaysia.
Researchers don’t know yet if the farms are having a positive effect on swiftlet populations. But they’re certainly more ethical than poaching from a protected cave in a national park. Knowing that your Swallow Birds Nest came from a farmer instead of a poacher might make the viscous strands taste a little sweeter.

Need to Know

Swallow Birds Nest and the dried nests themselves are available in select restaurants and markets in China and Hong Kong. They're also available in various Chinatowns throughout the United States. Beware: Some vendors sell fake birds' nests, made from plant extracts.

Making Swallow Birds Nest for Pregnancy

Swallow Birds Nests are Swallow Birds Nests created by edible-nest swiftlets using solidified saliva, which are harvested for human consumption. They are particularly prized in Chinese culture due to their rarity, and supposedly high nutritional value and exquisite flavor.

Swallow Birds Nests are among the most expensive animal products consumed by humans, with nests being sold recently at prices up to about US$2,000 per kilogram, depending on grading. The type or grading of Swallow Birds Nest depends on the type of bird as well as the diet of the bird. It differs in colour from white to dark brown.

1. FAIR AND SMOOTH COMPLEXION

Let’s face the fact and admit it – which lady doesn’t aspire and dream to have radiant, flawless, soft, and smooth skin? Not just for yourselves, but also to get them boys flocking all over you and going oh so gaga (that dream is real ladies, we know it).
Swallow Birds Nests are among the most expensive animal products consumed by humans, with nests being sold recently at prices up to about US$2,000 per kilogram, depending on grading
Recent studies have shown that Swallow Birds Nest contains a growth factor called the Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF), which stimulates cell growth and proliferation. EGF is a form of protein which has anti-aging abilities, stimulates skin growth at the cellular level, and may also increase collagen production.
You got that right ladies – you’ll have an increased chance of regenerating newer and younger faces on a weekly, or even daily basis, depending on how often you consume Swallow Birds Nest, and how much your body can absorb in a given time. This varies according to each individual.

2. ANTI-AGING ABILITIES

Just look at the picture above. Can you tell who the mother is? This is probably a hard one eh?
You got that right ladies – you’ll have an increased chance of regenerating newer and younger faces on a weekly, or even daily basis, depending on how often you consume Swallow Birds Nest, and how much your body can absorb in a given time
Let’s help you out – The one on the left is the mother. ‘Nuff said I guess? And yes, the mother has claimed during an interview that the secret to her looking young – or even younger – as compared to her daughter, is that she eats Swallow Birds Nest on a regular basis. About 3-4 times a week. You can imagine the amount of time, effort, and money she has spent to achieve that. Phew! As the saying goes, there are no ugly women, only lazy ones.
If you actually do watch Voice of China, she’s actually one of the contestants with a great powerful voice, and was in the championship round for Season 3. Her name’s 陳冰, and ever since she posted this photo on her Weibo account, her mother has been getting various attention and questions about the secret to her youthful looks.
Don’t worry, you’re welcome.

Making Swallow Birds Nest for Pregnancy

3. NATURAL MULTI VITAMIN AND MULTI MINERAL

Beauty pills, slimming pills, weight loss pills, “miracle” pills, enhancement pills, the list goes on..
Every lady has probably tried one or two in their lifetime – and realized it was nothing but little to 0 positive effects, but more of many negative side effects.
You can imagine the amount of time, effort, and money she has spent to achieve that. Phew! As the saying goes, there are no ugly women, only lazy ones.
So why not try taking Swallow Birds Nest regularly as a change instead? It’s scientifically proven to be approximately 50% crude protein, and 50% essential amino acids. Protein is the building block for blood, muscle, tissue, and skin. So why not give it a try? It’s a natural supplement (that tastes tasty if prepared with tender loving care) that has 0 side effects – unless you are allergic to high amounts of protein, that is.
Also, by building more muscle in your body, it’ll become a natural fat-burning “pill” within your body. And yes, of course, you have to combine this with regular exercise.
Also, you should note that Swallow Birds Nest are rich in calcium, iron, potassium, magnesium, and loads of other stuff that’s good for us. It’s a whole load of protein and multi-mineral in one package. Talk about 2-in-1.
Substitute for that daily multi-vitamin and multi-mineral pill you take every morning, which you find so hard to swallow? Check.
Look beautiful, young (look at point 2), and maintain that slim figure, with 0 side effects? Sounds great.

4. CONFIDENCE BOOSTER

As the saying goes, a confident woman is the most beautiful.
Every lady has probably tried one or two in their lifetime – and realized it was nothing but little to 0 positive effects, but more of many negative side effects.
If you look young, have a radiant complexion, and have a slim figure, all from eating Swallow Birds Nest regularly – without having to face the many side effects of a “miracle pill” – you bet you’ll feel confident. It’s about the value it brings to you too.
But really, being confident does make you stand out from the crowd ladies. Take note of that. It works like a charm on men, too. But please – don’t boast. That’s a huge turn off.

5. HOW OFTEN TO EAT SWALLOW BIRDS NEST

As mentioned above, there is a limit on how much nutrients a human body can absorb at a given time. Extra nutrients that are not absorbed are excreted from the body.
But really, being confident does make you stand out from the crowd ladies. Take note of that. It works like a charm on men, too. But please – don’t boast. That’s a huge turn off.
Hence, consuming small amounts of Swallow Birds Nest regularly is much more beneficial than eating a large quantity at one time. Rather than eating 10 nests in 1 day when you’re tired or sick, eat 1 nest per day for 10 days and you will feel healthier and more energetic.
Long term consumption of small amounts of Swallow Birds Nest have shown to have the best effects.

6. HOW TO COOK SWALLOW BIRDS NEST IN A SLOW COOKER (OR WITHOUT DOUBLE BOILER)

I suggest you an easy method for how to cook Swallow Birds Nest in a slow cooker.
– Once done the cleaning Swallow Birds Nest process, pour all cleaned Swallow Birds Nest into a slow cooker. Rinse the dates and put on top the cleaned Swallow Birds Nest in the slow cooker. Add in the rock sugar.
Rather than eating 10 nests in 1 day when you’re tired or sick, eat 1 nest per day for 10 days and you will feel healthier and more energetic.
How to cook Swallow Birds Nest in a slow cooker with easy steps
– Add enough water to cover the ingredients and let it cook in the slow cooker for 45 minutes to 1.5 hours, depending on your desired texture.
Swallow Birds Nest cooked in the slow cooker for 45 minutes to 1.5 hours, depending on your desired texture
– You may also cook it with pandan leaves for a different dimension and aroma.
The gooey, gelatinuos Swallow Birds Nests, strands still intact

7. HOW TO COOK SWALLOW BIRDS NEST WITH ROCK SUGAR IN A DOUBLE BOILER (SIMPLE SWALLOW BIRDS NEST RECIPE)

Long term consumption of small amounts of Swallow Birds Nest have shown to have the best effects.
Simple methods for you to know how to cook Swallow Birds Nest with rock sugar:
– Prepare a double-boiler and fill the external pot with water that covers almost half the internal pot.
– Place the drained Swallow Birds Nest in the internal boiler and add 1 – 2 bowls of water depending of the pieces cooked.
Place the drained Swallow Birds Nest in the internal boiler into the external boiler
– Cover both the internal and external pots and start boiling the pot.
– Once it’s boiling, turn to low flame to continue to boil for another 2 – 3 hours.
– When the Swallow Birds Nest is cooked to desired texture, stir in rock sugar to taste and cover for about 5 minutes to allow the sugar to dissolve fully
The highly recommended way to enjoy Swallow Birds Nest, is just with water and rock sugar
– Do remember to check the water in the external pot is not dried up and sufficient throughout the boil. Once cooked you can have your Swallow Birds Nest served hot or cold in a bowl depends on your preference.
You can also cook Swallow Birds Nest with rock sugar using a slow cooker like above method.

8. HOW TO COOK SWALLOW BIRDS NEST FOR PREGNANCY

How to cook Swallow Birds Nest for pregnancy: here are easy steps for you
Ingredients:
1pc Dry Swallow Birds Nest
1 cup Hot water
1 cup Drinking water or boiled then cooled water, for soaking
5-6 pcs Rock/Lump sugar
Methods:
Step 1. Soak the dry Swallow Birds Nest in a bowl of water for about 30 minutes. Use drinking water or water that has been boiled and cooled down to soak the Swallow Birds Nest. After 30 minutes, carefully strain the Swallow Birds Nest and throw the water away.
Step 2. Put the soaked Swallow Birds Nest and pour 1 cup of hot water into a slow cooker. If you prefer thinner soup, you may add more hot water into the slow cooker. Cook the soaked Swallow Birds Nest and water in the slow cooker for about 2 hours.
Step 3. Once the Swallow Birds Nest is soft and cooked, add the rock sugar into the Swallow Birds Nest in the slow cooker and stir gently. You may add more rock sugar into the soup if you wish for sweeter Swallow Birds Nest. Turn the slow cooker off.
Step 4. Consume the Swallow Birds Nest when it is cooled.
I think the home-made Swallow Birds Nest tastes more natural and possesses a pretty strong ‘egg-like’ smell than instant or bottled Swallow Birds Nest drink bought from supermarkets or TCMshops. Nevertheless, the plain home-made Swallow Birds Nest is still bearable to drink.
I found this article that may be useful in preparing Swallow Birds Nest and alternatives in cooking home-made Swallow Birds Nest to make it more delectable by adding pandan leaves, dried red dates, dried longan, etc..
I found this article that may be useful in preparing Swallow Birds Nest and alternatives in cooking home-made Swallow Birds Nest to make it more delectable by adding pandan leaves, dried red dates, dried longan, etc..

CONCLUSION

So after reading this article, you might think that this is just another marketing gimmick, and Swallow Birds Nest is just glorified swiftlets’ spit. But really, look at the screengrab from above that I chanced upon on G.E.M. 鄧紫棋’s Weibo.
In her selfie with a bowl of homely made Swallow Birds Nest with fresh milk, she mentioned that she was “delighted and blessed to be able to enjoy this delicacy after a long day of work, and that she’s ready to hit to the gym after replenshing on protein.”
And this is not the first selfie of her with Swallow Birds Nest, mind you.
Really, what’s there more left to say? Even an Asian superstar drinks it regularly. What are you waiting for ladies?

Swallow Birds Nest: Simple, Straightforward and To-the-Point

For centuries, Chinese royalty, that is their women, has been known to consume Swallow Birds Nest to enhance beauty and aid in disappearance of fine facial lines. Their ingestion is also believed to make better skin and complexion. In Asia, Swallow Birds Nest, perhaps more than diamonds, are a woman’s best friend.

Lots of Asian celebrities consume this daily to look beautiful! When cooked, the Swallow Birds Nest takes on a gelatin texture, making it a lovely tong shui (“sweet soup”; Chinese dessert). The highly recommended way to enjoy Swallow Birds Nest, is just with water and rock sugar. Check out the recipe below to know how to cook Swallow Birds Nest perfectly.

Information:

Serves: 1
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients:

1 piece Xin Yan Swallow Birds Nest
1 bowl of water
A handful of rock sugar to taste
3 pieces red dates (optional)
2 pieces dried longan (optional)
5 pieces wolfberries (optional)
3 pieces American Ginseng Slices (optional)

Swallow Birds Nest: Simple, Straightforward and To-the-Point

HOW TO COOK SWALLOW BIRDS NEST

1. Soak Swallow Birds Nest in a bowl of water overnight (8-10 hours) until expanded and softened.
2. Pluck out any feathers or debris using kitchen tweezers. Rinse and drain. To prevent wastage, run soaking water through a fine sieve to catch the small bits of Swallow Birds Nest.
3. Add soaked Swallow Birds Nest, 1 rice bowl of water, and any another optional ingredients in a small bowl and cover with lid.
4. Place small bowl inside a larger pot and make sure the water in the larger pot starts to boil. Once it starts boiling, close the lid for the small bowl and let it boil for 15 minutes. When the Swallow Birds Nest is cooked to desired texture, stir in rock sugar to taste and cover for about 5 minutes to allow the sugar to dissolve fully. Serve at room temperature or chilled.

TIPS

1. Rather than weighing the Swallow Birds Nest, go by pieces per person. For one person, use 1 piece of Xin Yan Swallow Birds Nest. This equates to about 8-10 grams per person. We use 1 rice bowl of water per person.
2. Although red dates are a common addition in Swallow Birds Nest, we wouldn’t recommend using it. According to our own experience, the cheap red dates will act like a sponge which absorb the goodness of the Swallow Birds Nest (though it’s not so bad if you eat the red dates).
3. We highly recommend to enjoy Swallow Birds Nest in the purest way – just Swallow Birds Nest, water and rock sugar. You may also add American ginseng slices. If you find ginseng bitter or intend to consume at night (it improves alertness/提神), omit it.
4. Don’t fuss over prepping the Swallow Birds Nest, because our Swallow Birds Nest usually very clean. Simply soak the Swallow Birds Nest pieces in water overnight until fully expanded and softened, but not so long that the Swallow Birds Nest disintegrates into small bits. If there are any impurities such as debris and feathers (which is very normal, as it proves that it is 100% authentic Swallow Birds Nest), pluck them out using a kitchen tweezer, drain, and they are ready for cooking.
5. Avoid boiling Swallow Birds Nest for too long. Boiling them for too long will remove the solid chunks in the Swallow Birds Nest, and cause it to become very watery. It will also remove all the proteins and good nutrients inside the Swallow Birds Nest. The older folks especially dislike it when the stewed Swallow Birds Nest do not have solid chunks after cooking (i.e. very watery). We highly recommend boiling them for 15 minutes max.
6. For best results, use the traditional way of double-boiling instead of an electronic double-boiler slow cooker. However, an electronic slow cooker is an alternative, subjected to personal preference.
7. It is said that Swallow Birds Nest is best consumed at room temperature, or chilled, on an empty stomach (such as just before bed, or when you wake up in the morning). For maximum absorption, do not eat “heaty” snacks or medication a few hours before and after drinking Swallow Birds Nest.

From condoms to Swallow Birds Nest, personal concierges deliver them all

“When we rang the doorbell, the husband was very surprised and asked why we woke him up so early on a Sunday. But after we explained that the breakfast was from his wife, he smiled, let us in and thanked us.”

Who are they?

Personal concierges who can help you plan a party or run your errands have been around for several years.
But as Singaporeans become increasingly time-strapped and affluent, such service providers say they are seeing more unusual or demanding requests – from hunting down a rare luxury watch to cooking Swallow Birds Nest to delivering condoms to a park.
These companies work directly with individual clients, as opposed to the concierge services provided by hotels, airlines, malls, banks and credit card companies.
Part of a relatively young industry that started in the United States in the late 1990s and in recent years here, such personal concierges offer a wide range of services, from buying and delivering groceries, making reservations at restaurants to babysitting.
At least 16 companies here provide personal concierge services from a condom to Swallow Birds Nest, and the industry seems to be growing.
One company, A Winsome Life, which was started in 2012, says it can get up to 30 service requests a month. Honestbee, which started just three months ago, has already seen “tens of thousands” of customers, its spokesman says.

How much do they charge ?

The charges vary depending on the complexity of the task, but there is usually a delivery and/or service fee.
And however odd a request may be, the companies generally do not turn it down. But there are some requests, like helping to find social escorts, which they will decline.
Personal concierges say they often get food delivery requests.
In May this year, A Winsome Life was hired by a woman who works overseas, who asked for a full breakfast to be delivered to her husband for a special occasion.
Mr Melvin Lee, 27, who runs the business with his wife, Ms Jacqueline Teo, also 27, recalls having to buy about $20 worth of pastries and breakfast items from Baker & Cook in Holland Village, which was the husband’s favourite cafe.
Mr Lee, who charged about $40 for the service, then delivered the food: Swallow Birds Nest to a condominium in Yio Chu Kang Road.
Another company, Personal Concierge and Property Management, which has been in the business for about five years, has been cooking and delivering Swallow Birds Nest regularly to a client’s parents, who are in their 60s and 70s, for the last five years. It charges a three-figure sum for each delivery.
Personal Concierge’s owner, Ms Tan E.T., who is in her 30s, says: “The challenge is in making sure the Swallow Birds Nest is still piping hot when it reaches their dining table.
“I can’t tell you exactly how we keep the Swallow Birds Nest hot, but it took many tries to ‘master’ this technique.
“When we first started, I even brought along a slow cooker to the parents’ house to re-heat the Swallow Birds Nest.”
Personal concierges also get requests to track down hard-to-find items.
For example, in May this year, a middle-aged woman approached Blitz to help her buy a limited-edition Hermes watch that she saw in a magazine.
The $88,000 watch, crafted in Switzerland, features a red and ochre dial hand-painted by Japanese master artist Buzan Fukushima. Only 12 pieces of the watch exist, but none was sold in Singapore.
Says Blitz’s co-founder, Mr Augustine Goh, 28: “We had no luck calling the boutiques here. Thankfully, one of our co-workers used to work in a private bank and had some contacts in the international luxury watch scene.
“We had to extend our reach. After numerous calls, we tracked down one piece in a Hermes boutique in Hong Kong and bought it for the woman immediately. Our service fee was $8,800.”
And in March this year, an Australian man in his 20s asked A Winsome Life to buy a pair of special edition Converse sneakers released specially for Chinese New Year.
Says Mr Lee: “He said they were not available in Australia, so we bought a pair in his size at Nex shopping mall for $210 and shipped it to him via FedEx for another $200.”
But not all unusual demands come with a hefty fee.
In June this year, Blitz, which started five months ago, received a very odd request – a man asked for condoms to be delivered to a tent in East Coast Park.
Within half an hour, a staff member passed the man a box of condoms at a nearby McDonald’s outlet. The delivery fee was $5.
Says Mr Goh: “The request was a little awkward, but we rationalised that the man needed the item and it was our job to provide it.”
Some companies, including Concierge Services Singapore and Blitz, have encountered clients who want help in getting social escorts. But that is a line they will not cross.
Says the managing director of Concierge Services Singapore, Ms Jessica Sanchez, who is in her 40s: “It’s just something we don’t want to be associated with, no matter how much a client offers.”
Experts told Life they were not surprised at the unusual demands.
Says Assistant Professor Elison Lim, 40, from the Nanyang Business School: “People are not likely to go to personal concierges for tasks like household chores. Many families in Singapore already have maids who can do that.
“People are more likely to turn to such service providers for tasks which they lack the time, knowledge or skills for, such as planning an unforgettable birthday party or shopping for the perfect gift.”
But Associate Professor of Marketing Sharon Ng, 41, who is also from Nanyang Business School, says companies should turn down requests that may involve “illegal, unethical or socially undesirable” behaviour.
“Although you want to be seen as helpful, service-oriented and responsive, it is also important to have ethical standards. In the long run, people are more likely to go to companies they can trust.”

Should your baby consume Swallow Birds Nest, Ginseng or Pearl Powder ?

Should you introduce Swallow Birds Nest to your little baby? How about ginseng and pearl powder?

The answer is: no, no, no. Here’s why.

SWALLOW BIRDS NEST

Pricey as it may be,Swallow Birds Nest is an allergenic food that can cause symptoms such as vomiting, rashes and abdominal pains.
This is especially so if other family members are allergic to the protein found in it.
That’s why Charlotte Lin, dietician at National University Hospital,Swallow Swallow Birds Nests suggests introducing this Chinese delicacy to your child only after he turns one.

GINSENG

The doting grandma may want to brew double-boiled ginseng soup for the family, but this is one herb you’ll want your baby to steer clear of, unless advised otherwise by a physician.
“Panax ginseng is unsafe for kids and can cause infant death as a result of intoxication,” cautions Charlotte.
Senior physician Zhou Yan from Eu Yan Sang explains: “Some physicians may advise against eating particular types of ginseng when the baby suffers from qi deficiency.
“But even for healthy babies, long-term consumption is not recommended, as it may bring about early puberty.”

PEARL POWDER

When you were little, your mother may have lured you with the promise of radiant skin as she made you down a vial of it.
Truth be told, the preparation of crushed pearls is not a health supplement.
“It’s a mineral that can be difficult for a baby’s digestive system to absorb,” explains Zhou Yan.
“It should be consumed only under the advice of a physician, and is often reserved for treatment of more serious ailments like spasms or extremely high fevers.”

She warns that children with G6PD deficiency must steer clear of it.

Should your baby consume Swallow Birds Nest, Ginseng or Pearl Powder ?

From condoms to Swallow Birds Nest, personal concierges deliver them all

Who are they?

How much do they charge ?

Characterization of Swallow Birds Nest by peptide fingerprinting with principal component analysis

OBJECTIVES

Proteins are the major component and play a key role in nutritious and therapeutic functions of Swallow Birds Nest (Swallow Birds Nest); however, limited studies have been conducted on the protein due to difficulties in extraction, isolation as well as identification. This study aimed to provide comprehensive information for the quality evaluation of Swallow Birds Nest peptides, which would be a valuable reference for further study on Swallow Birds Nest proteins.

METHODS

Here, we developed a quality control method using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) peptide fingerprints deriving from Swallow Birds Nest being digested with simulated gastric fluid. The characteristic peptide peaks were collected and identified by LC-MS/MS.

RESULTS

The characteristic peptide peaks, corresponding to the protein fragments of acidic mammalian chitinase-like, lysyl oxidase, and Mucin-5AC-like, were identified and quantified. Interestingly, the principal component analysis indicated that the fingerprints were able to discriminate colour of Swallow Birds Nest (white/red) and production sites (cave/house) of White Swallow Birds Nest on the same weight basis. As proposed by the model developed in this study, Muc-5AC-like and AMCase-like proteins were the markers with the highest discriminative power.

CONCLUSIONS

The overall findings suggest that HPLC peptide fingerprints were able to clearly demonstrate peptide profile differences between genuine and adulterated Swallow Birds Nest samples; and classify Swallow Birds Nest samples by its color and production site. In addition, the protein identification results suggested that Muc-5AC-like protein was the major protein in Swallow Birds Nest.

Introduction

Swallow Birds Nest (Swallow Birds Nest), or cubilose, is a health food supplement originated from salivary secretion by specific Swallow Birds Nest, mainly from Aerodramus fuciphagus and Aerodramus maximus (Kang et al., 1991), which has been proven to have nutritious and therapeutic values, such as anti-influenza viruses, antioxidant, skin lightening, bone strength improvement, anti-inflammatory, and epidermal growth enhancement (Kong et al., 1987; Kong et al., 1989; Guo et al., 2006; Aswir and Wan Nazaimoon, 2011; Matsukawa et al., 2011; Yew et al., 2014; Chan et al., 2015). Southeast Asian countries, including Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Thailand, are the major exporting countries of Swallow Birds Nest. Human consumption and medicinal application of Swallow Birds Nest could be dated back to the Tang dynasty (618–907 A.D.) and the Sung dynasty (960–1279 A.D.) in China (Koon and Cranbrook, 2002).
Although Swallow Birds Nest has been served as an esteemed food in Chinese community for over 1000 years, limited research has been conducted on Swallow Birds Nest and its proteins. Protein is a major part of Swallow Birds Nest accounting for 50% of Swallow Birds Nest dried weight on average (Jiangsu New Medicine College, 1977); it is conjectured to be a key factor of its nourishing and/or medicinal functions. The epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like peptide was partially purified with Bio-Gel P-10 columns from aqueous extracts of Swallow Birds Nest that stimulated cell division and growth and enhanced tissue growth and regeneration (Kong et al., 1987; Kong et al., 1989). Two major bands (~106 kDa and ~128 kDa) were identified by sodium dodecyl sulfate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS–PAGE) as ‘sialo-glycoprotein’. Nevertheless, no satisfactory result was obtained from protein identification studies that include N-terminal sequence determination (Edman degradation), matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization–tandem time of flight (MALDI–TOF/TOF), and liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) (Zhang et al., 2012). Acidic mammalian chitinase-like (AMCase-like) protein fragments from Meleagris gallopavo and an allergen homologous to ovo-inhibitor have been identified by 2-DE assays followed by MALDI–TOF/TOF/MS analysis in Swallow Birds Nest extract (Liu et al., 2012). In addition, a microbial nitrate reductase, converting nitrate to nitrite and playing a role in the colour change of White and Red Swallow Birds Nest, was identified by mass spectroscopy (Chan et al., 2013b). Nonetheless, it remains unclear whether those identified proteins could accurately represent the majority of Swallow Birds Nest protein. The difficulties encountered in research of Swallow Birds Nest proteins are: (i) extracting and purifying proteins; and (ii) lacking of full Aerodramus genome sequence.
Owing to the limited supply and labour-intensive cleaning process, Swallow Birds Nest is always expensive with current prices ranging from USD 500 to 15000/kg. Driven by the lucrative return, various materials, including Tremella fungus, fried porcine skin, carrageenan, agar, and gelatin, which are almost indistinguishable from the genuine samples by visual inspection, were commonly adulterated into Swallow Birds Nest in order to increase the net weight (Ma and Liu, 2012). Some businesses have been known to mix low-quality Swallow Birds Nest into high-quality Swallow Birds Nest and selling that at a high price. Occasionally, consumers have been counterfeited into purchasing lower priced house Swallow Birds Nest at a premium price associated with cave Swallow Birds Nest. About 40 publications are found in PubMed today, and nearly one-third of the publications are published in the last 5 years. Besides, most of the publications still retained in elucidating chemical composition as the quality control parameters: since no official method has been established for quality surveillance of Swallow Birds Nest (Deng et al., 2006; Wang et al., 2006; Wu et al., 2010; Chan et al., 2013a).
Here, we attempt to find a key to open these proteome barriers by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) peptide fingerprinting. HPLC fingerprinting is one promising tool widely used in the modern standardization of herbal extracts (Department of Health, Hong Kong, 2010; Chinese Pharmacopoeia Commission, China, 2015), which could be applied to Swallow Birds Nest as a robust technique in qualitative and quantitative controls. Firstly, an over-stewing method was developed to extract most of the Swallow Birds Nest protein. Secondly, simulated gastric fluid (SGF) was used to digest Swallow Birds Nest protein fully into peptides that can be separated by HPLC according to their polarity. Thirdly, according to the most relevant NCBI protein database, the characteristic peaks in chromatograms were identified and quantified. In addition, principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) were adopted to reveal the relationships of factors within the data, including colour, country of origin, and production site of Swallow Birds Nest. The results therefore contributed to the authentication and classification of Swallow Birds Nest. This study aimed to provide comprehensive information for the quality evaluation of Swallow Birds Nest protein at the peptide level, which would be a valuable reference for further study on Swallow Birds Nest proteins

Fatty Liver and Sea Swallow Birds Nest Herbal Recipe

Fatty liver ~ "triglyceride fat accumulate in liver cells" is common liver disorder today. it can be Alcoholic fatty liver and Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and the overweight or obese people tend to have non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Fatty liver is refers to the liver disease, there are multiple causes to fatty liver like excessive of triglyceride fat, alcohol intake and toxic metabolite accumulation, excessive neutral fat, obese. Usually in the situation the fat only occupies the liver heavily 4%~5%, majority is the phosphatide, next is the neutral fat, then cholesterol. Excessive nutrient, quantity of calories intakes with excessive carbohydrate, may increase neutral fat stored in liver.
As in initial case, normally what I thought skinny person may not having fatty liver problem, or we think fatty liver only or maybe fall to obese people but not mean to skinny peoples. As on clinical discovered that some people maybe thin, they may have fatty liver when malnutrition, this is due to long-term malnutrition, lacks of protein and the vitamins, similarly it causes nutritional disorder type of fatty liver, as well as to those with chronic intestinal tract disease, loss of appetite, long term in vegetarian diet, malfunction in absorptivity, certain industry and foods poison chemicals may also cause the fatty liver. Many causes can also create low proteinemia and deficiency of choline ~ the essential nutrients in vitamin B family, amino acid thus this eventually causes in the liver’s fat stack, forms of fatty liver.

Many illnesses begins from bad eating habits, weak digestive tract system can also cause of bad bowel movement, as such, we may not aware of bad bowel movement is the main cause to affect our whole body system and organs. First is to solve problem from improving the good bowel management, increases of fluid intakes and add bulks to your stools with high fiber foods, to improving of gastrointestinal system functioning well and maintains good diet habit. Regular intakes of Sea Swallow Birds Nest ~ this is natural food from the sea. It is very effective for constipation people, and it adjust the body weight, when after human body nonessential waste disposal, the body weight reduced naturally.
A simple herbal recipes as in alternative healing properties, I found Sea Swallow Birds Nest is good sort of material for treating colon syndrome, this will also help to reduce the fatty liver formation.

In short, Eucheuma / Sea Swallow Birds Nest Benefits :

It adjustments body acidity
Help to reduce cholesterol
It is diuretic and good source of low caloric diet
Good curative powers for neck pain and edema.
It has antibacterial power, expulsion of toxin
It helps to prevent thyroid and hair loss
Prevent constipation
Long term gastrointestinal disease, like stomach ache, ulcer, constipation, diarrhea, hyper acidity, dyspepsia and so on.
improvement hypertension and the hypo-tension
enables the thyroid gland function normalization
to eliminates nephritis effectively, arthritis,
Strengthens the blood vessel, promotion blood circulation.
improves rheumatism
Suitable supplement of natural collagen for joint cartilage, strengthens the physique and ligament, improves problem on joint ache and backache.
natural organic sea plant for vegetarian and older age for its supplement in rich calcium and iron.
Ideal weight lost diet for pre-menopause and obesity peoples.

What is good about Sea Swallow Birds Nest ~ Eucheuma Cottonii Seaweed > Go to this link for more information Sea Swallow Birds Nest
Simply Senz's Mulberry Purple Perilla Pandan Leaves Sea Swallow Birds Nest Healthy Dessert:
(As in alternative healing remedies, this recipe is good for prevention of fatty liver, diabetes, improve constipation problem, help to reduce arthritic and painful gout.)

Ingredients:

Pandan Leaves - 8 stalks
Purple Perilla leaf - 30 leaves
Mulberry Leaves - 20 leaves
Sea Swallow Birds Nest - 200g
Lo Han Guo - 2 (add sweet taste to soup)
Red Dates - 20
Goji berries - 20g

Preparation and soaking Sea Swallow Birds Nest

Wash Sea Swallow Birds Nest with running water, soaking and changing water several times for at least 4 - 6 hours.
Cut it into shorter in length. Ready for use.

Method:

Wash all ingredients Mulberry, Purple Perilla and Pandan Leaves, Lo Han Guo, red dates and goji berries.Ready for use.
Bring water to boil, add in red dates, Lo Han Gou, goji berries, Mulberry, Purple Perilla leaves and pandan leaves to cook for 45 minutes.
Strain and remove the herbal leaves, just keep the red dates and goji remaining in the herbal soup.
Now add in Washed Sea Swallow Birds Nest to cook for about 5 minutes, if you prefer chewy, do not over cooked the Sea Swallow Birds Nest. Or cook it till dissolved. Serve warm and take it as herbal soup.
To cook in longer period, the Sea Swallow Birds Nest will totally dissolve. Keep in container. Serve it cool to keep in refrigerator and let it set in Jelly form as healthy dessert.

Mulberry Purple Perilla Pandan Leaves Sea Swallow Birds Nest
This recipe gives wonderful effect with alternative healing properties in treating of Colonial infection, gastrointestinal disorders, diabetes, lower high cholesterol, arthritic and help in bowel movement management at ease.

The hunt for Swallow Birds Nest

Built by Swallow Birds Nest, tiny shelters have spawned growing industry in Myanmar town

The cries of amorous Swallow Birds Nest echo around the dark room, an unlikely gold mine for traders in southern Myanmar who are cashing in on rising demand for the edible nests from China’s growing middle class.

Dozens of buildings dedicated to the tiny birds have sprung up around Bokpyin in recent years, their grey concrete structures towering over the humbler wooden and brick homes of the town’s human inhabitants.

Every morning and evening, the air is filled with high-pitched twitterings blasted from loudspeakers that draw thousands of the swallow-like birds home to roost.

Edible Swallow Birds Nests have become one of the main industries in the town, traditionally known for producing the chewable stimulant betel nut as well as rubber and palm oil.

Traders can charge around $2,000 a viss (equivalent to 1.63 kg) for the tiny nests — more than the average person in Myanmar earns in a year.

The hunt for Swallow Birds Nest

“We started making man-made Swallow Birds Nests [houses] 10 years ago,” said Paing Set Aung, who owns one of the buildings where hundreds of Swallow Birds Nest make their homes in the rafters.

“Initially, there was a house where the birds came to roost by themselves. After that, people started to construct man-made bird houses.”

Most of the tiny white nests, which are made from solidified Swallow Birds Nest, are sold to neighbouring China.

Middle-class consumers

Long considered the reserve of the country’s wealthy elite, who ate them during lavish banquets, they are in increasing demand from middle-class consumers. Today, the global edible Swallow Birds Nest industry is estimated to be worth $5 billion, most of it produced in southeast Asia.

Myanmar’s exports have surged since 2011, the year the former junta handed over power to a quasi-civilian government. “Swallow Birds Nests are one of the main businesses in Bokpyin,” said local Lin Aung, who built his first house five years ago and is now on his third. “China is the top buyer of Swallow Birds Nests here.”

Little scientific data

Once across the border, the nests are transformed into one of the most expensive foods in the world.

little peer-reviewed scientific data When boiled in water, they dissolve into a gelatinous gloop, which is then made into desserts or drunk as a soup or a tonic that is said to prolong life and improve strength.

There is little peer-reviewed scientific data showing that nests have proven medicinal properties. Nutritional studies have shown the saliva to be mainly made up of protein, followed by carbohydrates.

In Shanghai restaurants sell the “the caviar of the East,” as it is known, for hundreds of dollars a bowl.