Nested interests: A bespoke farm for edible Birds Nests

A BOWL of soup made with animal saliva? Yours for $100. What’s that, you want some of the raw ingredients so that you can make your own? That’ll be $2000 per kilogram, please.

Birds Nest soup is one of the most expensive foods in the world. Its production is a mega-industry, worth an incredible $5 billion a year. The nests were traditionally harvested from caves in South-East Asia where the birds – the edible-nest swiftlet, Aerodramus fuciphagus, and the black-nest swiftlet, Aerodramus maximus – make their nests. The natural supply is no longer enough to keep up with demand, however.

One business solution is to build concrete bird houses (pictured). These, in a cornfield in Selangor, Malaysia, are fitted with electronic tweeters playing swiftlet calls to attract the birds. Inside the structures, male swiftlets meticulously build their nests over 35 days, coughing up thick phlegmy strands of spit to bind it. The nests are often harvested before eggs are laid, so the birds build more.

Nested interests: A bespoke farm for edible Birds Nests

Dissolved in water to produce a glutinous mixture containing, apparently, magnesium, calcium, iron and potassium, the soup (pictured below) is claimed to keep you young, improve your focus, and – as these things always do – boost your libido. “It’s often served cold, and the liquid is clear with slightly fibrous strands that are an opaque white colour,” says photographer Ian Teh. “I had it when I was a kid and rather liked it.”

This article appeared in print under the headline “Nested interests”

The Effects of Edible Birds Nest on Fitness

Women

Birds Nest is not just the primary choice for a natural skin supplement, but it is the super-food for anti-aging. This is due to Birds Nest containing anti-oxidant minerals that fight the signs of aging. It also lightens skin pigmentation and reduces wrinkles, thus diminishing the fear of aging. It can effectively nurture the skin to promote the benefits of lightening, tightening, moisturizing and smoothening. Birds Nest also contains a high quantity of gelatinous minerals, which also has a slimming effect and thus translates to a shapelier bodyline. In a nutshell, Birds Nest is the best anti-aging health product for women.

Men

Birds Nest is not just a God-send for women, but it is also a supplement to replenish vitality for men. The rich protein and carbohydrate in Birds Nest quickly reenergizes its regular consumers. Long-term consumption will help to improve the mental alertness and energy level, as well as the virility of men. This is especially beneficial for working adults who live a hectic life since consuming Birds Nest helps reduce the level of lethargy and stress.

Pregnant Mothers

Under the concept of dual-nourishment for both mother and fetus, expectant mothers must be careful of their food intake in order to promote the development of healthy fetuses. The rich, active protein C in Birds Nest not only spurs the growth of human tissues, but with all the abundant nutrients it contains, Birds Nest is also able to raise the immunity levels of the human body. This helps lead to a stronger and fairer newborn. Secondly, Birds Nest has the property of stabilizing and calming pregnancies, thus easing the travail during child-birth.

Elderly

Birds Nest gelatinous component contains rich collagen that alleviates the pains of arthritis. Consumption of Birds Nest can improve appetite, aid digestion, strengthen the physique, nourish lungs, improve eyesight as well as elevate the immune system.

Children

For diminutive young bodies, Birds Nest is able to boost the immune system, strengthen the body and alleviate allergies. It also improves the appetite and metabolism of children. Birds Nest contains multiple amino-acids that promote mental alertness in children when consumed regularly. It is the best natural supplement for boosting their energy level and mental faculty when they study. If and when a child is suffering from whooping cough, consumption of Birds Nest is able to stop the coughing and heal the lungs.

Adolescents

Adolescence is the period where the most rapid growth of the body takes place. It is a time when sufficient nutrients are required to meet the demands of the physical, psychological and intellectual developments that take place. Birds Nest contains Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF) which can strengthen the physique, improve mental growth, enhance memory and promote all functional capacities of the body.