Bird’s nest soup is one of the nutritious delicacies in Southeast Asia and some other parts of the world. If you own a bird’s nest restaurant, or intend to buy large quantities, you need to understand how to identify the real thing. The following are relevant tips on how to buy:
Decide on the type you want
There are three main types of bird nests, and they are all built by swiftlets. Before you start shopping, you need to decide the type you want. Here are the three different types you can choose from:
red nests
These are nests that have a bright red color. They are usually harvested once or twice a year. About 50% of all bird nests are red nests. However, red nests are considered the most expensive type due to their nutritional value and demand.
white nests
White nests are built by Swiftlets that have never mated. They are seen as the highest quality of all nests and the most common in Southeast Asia.
yellow nests
The yellow nests are produced by the same swiftlet species that produce the white nests. But unlike the white nests, the yellow ones are produced by swiftlets that are already mating. They are usually creamy in color and one of the most sought after.
Ask if the nests are endorsed by the corresponding authority
Genuine bird nests are often government endorsed. Before you buy one, ask if it is endorsed by the appropriate regulatory agency. The market is flooded with various fake nests. As such, the government of countries where bird nests are available for sale often approve genuine ones to protect the public and curb the activities of fake sellers.
Inspection
See the nests you want to pay for before you buy. Physical inspection is a crucial part of buying the real thing. The genuine ones are made from the saliva of Swiftlets birds and you can easily smell the eggs in the nest. The birds use the nest to raise their young and sometimes you can find feathers in them.
Fake bird nests are made from several different materials. They are unhealthy and harmful. If you are absolutely new to buying it, you may need to go with an expert who can easily tell the difference between the fake ones and the real ones. Don’t fall into the trap of buying a replica instead of the real thing.
How to verify the authenticity of nests
Avoid buying prepackaged bird nests, they are extremely difficult to verify. Also, take note of the following whenever you intend to buy:
Size
The birds (Swiftlets) that produce the nests are not exactly the same size. Some are larger and some are smaller, so all of their nests cannot be exactly the same size. However, on average, most nests have a diameter of 6 to 7 millimeters. It weighs about 10-15 grams. It has a thick base and a thin wall. Nests that are all the same size are not authentic. They are man-made. Authentic sizes may be similar but not exactly the same. Be careful with the size before buying.
Appearance
The color of a bird’s nest is a strong sign of its authenticity. The color of the authentic ones are not absolutely white or reflective. Some false nests are chemically bleached to change their color; these are usually very white and reflective. Some of these bleaching chemicals are harmful to humans and can cause serious health problems. Appearance is an easy way to tell the difference between the fake and the real thing.
How to spot fake bird nests
Fake bird nests are often made from mushrooms, gelatin, glue and flour, pigskin, sea gum, or tree kelp. But the fake makers are smart and know how to make the fake ones look like the real thing. But there are some loopholes, and you can easily take advantage of them to identify the fake ones. You can spot fakes in the following ways:
scent
The real ones often have the smell of eggs because they are used to raise the young of Swiftlets after hatching. While the fake ones often have a chemical smell of fish and bleach. Do your best to catch the scent of the ones you intend to buy.
flexibility
True bird nests are made from swiftlet saliva. As such they are brittle and break easily. Fake ones are usually stretchy, can be bent, and don’t break easily. The fake ones are often made of a shiny surface and feel like plastic when touched.
water experiment
Here is a simple experiment to check if a bird’s nest is fake or real. Soak a small portion in water for a few minutes, then gently pull on the strands. If it comes off instantly and easily, then it’s a fake. The real ones are made from Swiftlet’s saliva and the saliva solidifies like cement. It takes almost 48 hours or more to fully soak genuine threads for their threads to come loose.
Conclusion
The bird nest market is constantly expanding and competition is fierce among sellers. While many sellers focus on selling genuine nests, others make huge profits selling fake nests to buyers who cannot tell the difference between fake and genuine nests. But if you intend to buy a bird nest wholesale or in bulk, the various tips mentioned in this article will guide you to the right seller.