How to choose and process bird's nest
Types of bird's nest
Bird's nests can be divided into several varieties based on their origin, nest type and processing methods. The following are some common bird's nest varieties:
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White Bird's Nest :
- White bird's nest is the most common and more expensive type of bird's nest, mainly coming from the nests built by the swiftlet. White bird's nest is usually lighter in color, more transparent, with a finer texture and a smoother taste. White bird's nest is divided into several grades, among which "bird's nest" is of higher grade and is the best choice.
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Blood Bird's Nest :
- The blood bird's nest is built by the red-billed swiftlet or other red species of swiftlets. It appears red because there are blood threads or red feathers in the nest. Red bird's nest is similar to white bird's nest and has similar nutritional value, but red bird's nest is rarer in the market and usually costs more.
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Golden Bird's Nest :
- The golden bird's nest is built by the swiftlet with yellow feathers. Compared with the white bird's nest, the yellow bird's nest is lighter yellow in color, has a stronger flavor, and is richer in nutrients.
Benefits of Bird's Nest
Bird's nest is a traditional nourishing food that contains a variety of nutrients that are beneficial to human health. Its main functions include:
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Nourishing and beautifying :
- Bird's nest is rich in collagen, which has a significant effect on promoting skin elasticity, reducing wrinkles and enhancing skin radiance. Long-term consumption can have a beautifying and skin-enhancing effect, and is especially beneficial for women.
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Nourishing the lungs and yin :
- Bird's nest has the effect of nourishing yin and tonifying the lungs, and is very helpful for patients with long-term cough, lung deficiency or shortness of breath. Bird's nest can help improve the health of the respiratory system, moisten the lungs and relieve coughs.
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1. Boosts Immunity :
- Bird's nest is rich in protein, amino acids and polysaccharides, which can promote the health of the immune system and enhance resistance. It is especially suitable for people who are weak or recovering.
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Nourishes the stomach and calms the mind :
- Bird's nest has a certain protective effect on the stomach and can improve symptoms such as loss of appetite and stomach pain. At the same time, bird's nest has a calming effect, helping to relieve stress and improve sleep quality.
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Anti-aging :
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Collagen and other nutrients in bird's nest can promote cell regeneration, help slow down the aging process, and protect the body from external environmental damage.
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Collagen and other nutrients in bird's nest can promote cell regeneration, help slow down the aging process, and protect the body from external environmental damage.
How to choose bird's nest
When choosing high-quality bird's nest, you need to follow the following criteria:
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color :
- High-quality bird's nest should be transparent and white in color. White bird's nest should have a crystal clear texture without excessive impurities or color deviation. Red and yellow bird's nests should appear natural without any other colors. Overly bright colors may have been dyed.
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Shape and integrity :
- Choose bird's nests that are complete in shape and uniform in size. High-quality bird's nests should be clean and free of cracks. Avoid choosing nests that are broken or damaged.
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texture :
- A good bird's nest should be brittle in texture but should not be too hardened. The fibers of high-quality bird's nest are fine and uniform, without excessive impurities such as bird hair and feathers.
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Origin :
- Most of the bird's nests on the market come from Southeast Asia, such as Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand. Choose bird's nest from well-known brands and with reliable origin certificates to ensure quality.
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price :
- High-quality bird's nests are relatively expensive. If you come across bird's nests that are priced too low, you need to carefully check whether there are any quality issues.
How to soak bird's nest
Bird's nest usually needs to be soaked before it can be eaten. The following are the steps for soaking bird's nest:
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Soaking time :
- Place the bird's nest in clean water and soak for about 6 to 8 hours (depending on the type and hardness of the bird's nest). If it is high quality bird's nest, it may need to be soaked for a longer time.
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Water Temperature :
- When soaking bird's nest, you should use room temperature water or cold water, and avoid using hot water, so as to protect the nutrients of the bird's nest. Overheated water will destroy the texture and nutrients of the bird's nest.
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Cleaning :
- While soaking, you can gently open the bird's nest and check if there is any foreign matter or hair. If impurities are found during the soaking process, they can be gently removed.
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Change water in time :
- If the soaking time is longer, you can change the water every few hours to help the bird's nest absorb water better and stay clean.
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Preparation before cooking :
- After soaking, take out the bird's nest, gently filter and drain the water, and then you can cook it further or eat it.