Borneo Bird Nest

Swiftlets are from the same family as the common swallow. The Swiftlets (Collocalia Family) are very unique birds. Among all the seventy-six species of Swiftlets in the world, there are only 2 types of species that are able in producing Edible Nest, which are the Collocalia Fuciphaga (white nest) and Collocalia Maxima (black nest).

The most special part about these swallow birds are their nests. Their nests look like a cupped hand, a hollow quarter-ball shape, one side is stuck to a wall (a cave wall, or a man made wooden base in cultivated/house nests) and the other side of the nest is a place for them to perch.

For decades, bird’s nests are likeable in Chinese cuisine and are valued for their high nutritional content and medicinal benefits. Bird’s nest are rich in protein with slight present of calcium and iron that research has found that it helps to strengthening our body immunity system against diseases.

Regularly consume bird’s nests would help one restore the fine and fair complexion of one’s youthfulness. It is also recommended for an expectant mother to consume bird’s nests regularly in order to have a baby with fine complexion and a healthy lung. Above all, the nest posses no adverse side effects, so that their consumption can never be deleterious. They are good for everyone, in any circumstances-sick or well, old or young.

Bird's nests are believed to act as a tonic for the lungs and can help keep the function of respiratory system homeostatic. They are also excellent for boosting the blood circulation system for children, patients in recovering stage, women after delivery and the old. Besides, it can help stimulate the process of the cell formation as well.

There was also an overseas study about bird's nests indicated that the chemical compounds extracted from the nest effectively prohibited the process of Haemagglutination which caused the common cold and influenza. The chemical compounds that contained in the bird's nest are Water 5.11%, Protein 60.9%, Calcium 0.85%, Potassium 0.05% and Phosphorus 0.03%.

House nest is made by swiftlets that nest under the roof of houses in the countryside. The texture of house nest are smoother compared to those of cave nest, and with less feathers and other contaminants.

Cave nest are mainly harvested from natural caves in eastern Sarawak and Sabah (two Malaysian states on the island of Borneo). These caves are scattered in the state's various forest reserves, natural parks and coastal islands. The more famous of these caves are located at Niah, Kakus, Baram and Tinjar.

Since cave nests are "made" by free, naturally-living swallows, some consider them to be more valuable than house nests, and they often fetch a higher price. Cave nest generally contains more dirt and feather than house nest. However, the nest in piece as shown in the picture has been cleaned thoroughly during the packaging process.

The red or blood nest is the highest grade of its kind and has a bright red colour. It has been rated as the supreme delicacy rich in nutrition and the demand is high. Its rarity is due to less house have this kind of nest and the nest can only be harvested 1 to 2 times. Besides, it only shares about 5% of overall bird nest market. Therefore, the selling price is higher than others.

Some people believe that the bird's nests of reddish brown colour are produced by the mother birds who have to rebuild the nests for several times until their saliva becomes blood. Recently, many researchers have found that what causes the reddish brown colour is the chemical reaction among oxygen, iron and humidity which results in rust. Humidity also stimulates the rust to be absorbed into the nest making them reddish brown.

The flower or gold nest has a bright dark-orange color, like a tangerine peel. It is from the same swiflet species that produce RED or BLOOD nest but the selling price is slightly lower.

This is the same pure bird's nest sold in most retail outlets as gift packs or piecemeal in South East Asia as mostly came from the same supplier from Sarawak.