What is Birds Nest Soup?
Bird’s nest soup or yan wo is a traditional Chinese delicacy made from the nest of the swiftlet, a tropical bird which is found in many parts of Asia, including China and Thailand. The unique ingredient in this soup is believed to be an aphrodisiac which also increases longevity, and as a result, this dish is in high demand in some parts of China. The bird’s nests used in the soup can be quite expensive, and the dish is typically served only at exclusive restaurants. Swiftlets are birds in the family Apodidae. Several species within this family are able to use echolocation, which allows them to nest and breed in caves. These species produce a unique gummy saliva, which they use to build their nests; they lay down strands of saliva which harden when exposed to air, creating a solid nest. Harvesters enter the caves, retrieve the nests, clean them, and then offer them for sale. To make bird’s nest soup, the nest is simmered in chicken stock. The result is a broth with floating chunks of t
The swiftlets nest has been imported into China from Southeast Asia since the T’ang Dynasty (618-907AD). The nests became well known by physicians, connoisseurs and traders alike in the 17th century. In 1587 large amounts of swiftlets nests were imported to China and an import duty was levied on the nests. In 1618 the amount of birds nest imported into China was so vast that a reduction of the import duty was granted by the Ming Dynasty. Birds nest was accepted and considered a precious food by the people of Guangdong and the Fujian province. Birds nest is now one of the most expensive animal products consumed by humans and has been used for cooking for over four hundred years.
