Genuine Bird's Nest is expensive. A 37.5g box of dried Bird's Nest from Horse Brand Bird's Nest (馬標燕窝) costs about $155-253. Cheaper alternatives like a ready-prepared box of bottled Bird's Nest with Rock Sugar (6 x 75g) from Eu Yang Sang (余仁生) costs $47.41 but each bottle usually contains only a tiny bit of Bird's Nest. A teaspoon's worth, maybe??
I started taking Bird's Nest more regularly during my pregnancy. Maybe 2 times a week from the 1st trimester. Bird's Nest is believed to help with the mother's nutrition and immune system, as well as promote healthy development of the babies {plus give the baby good complexion too!!}. Sometimes my mum helped me to prepare from dried Bird's Nest but it is a tedious job because you have to soak it overnight, then pluck out the dirt & feathers with a tweezer, then double-boil it. Usually, I would just drink readily-bottled Bird's Nest. I like the ones from Chong Hoe (about $20+/bottle but contains maybe 2 teaspoons of Bird's Nest).
If you do intend to take Bird's Nest, especially during your pregnancy, please stick to the more reputable shops. And if the price is too good to be true, it probably is. There are cases of unscrupulous merchants selling fake Bird's Nest, or producers bleaching and colouring the nests to make it more appealing, or adding ingredients that may be harmful to the mother or baby. Stay away unless you trust the shop! There's a good FAQ page on Bird's Nest here.

I wish I had a picture of the original dried Bird's Nest combs. My FIL buys them in bulk straight from a supplier and they are really dirty and not processed?? Not like the ones that you see in the Chinese herbal shops already slightly cleaned and nicely-packed. So many thanks to his maid for cleaning them!



This is my mum's recipe.
Time taken:
About 1-1.5hrs
Ingredients:
1 comb dried Bird's Nest
80g rock sugar
4-5 pcs premium dried red dates (or dried longans)
2-3 cups hot water
Method:
- Soak the dried Bird's Nest overnight. Pick and remove impurities from Bird's Nest with a tweezer.
- Wash and pit red dates.
- Pour the hot water into a double-boil pot. Make sure it covers all Bird's Nest.
- Add cleaned, soaked Bird's nest, rock sugar and dried red dates.
- Double-boil for 60-90 mins. Bird's Nest should be soft, but be careful not to overcook as it will disintegrate.
- Serve chilled (or hot if you prefer)
Bird's nest is also nice with scallop congee, especially when you are filling ill with not much appetite. Good for recuperating patients :)

14 comments:
I have never heard about this. I think it is fascinating. Thanks for sharing it with us all.
I am visiting from the Relax and Surf blog hop. It is nice to "meet" you. I hope you have a great week.
Blessings,
LaVonne @ Long Wait For Isabella
What a lovely photo...thanks for sharing!
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I have never heard of this either. I found it so interesting and I look forward to more interesting posts from you in the future. Thanks for sharing with Tuesday's Tasty Tidbits at Permanent Posies.
I didn't know that it was really made from actual birds nests. So you clean out the feathers etc., but I just have to ask about the bird droppings...?
I am intrigued with your blog and am now a follower :)
Thanks for joining the BUNNY HOP PARTY this week. I hope to see you again ;)
xoxo Bunny Jean
Oh wow so interesting to know that so many of you ladies have not heard of this! Bird's Nest soup has been around for many hundreds of years in Asian society :)
Just shows how nice the blogosphere is for us to share our different cultures :) Come back often to learn more k? heehee...
xoxo Ai Sakura
@Bunny Jean: Yes, you have to clean EVERYTHING as much as you can. The nest is sold already dried and mostly processed clean so that makes it easier I guess. Usually only the tiny feathers and dirt are left to clean by yourself at home...
Wow... lucky you to have cleaned bird's nest! I love bird's nest and since it's just a delicacy to have them everyday, I resorted to using bird's nest facial masks to capture the essesnce. Hehe..
This is my kids absolute favorite...maybe because I had some during my pregnancy. Or, they simply have "high-end" taste buds! LOL
My blog turns 1 today and I’m hosting a giveaway on my blog as a way to say thank you for your supports in the past year. Please come over to check it out if you’re interested. http://utry.it
@Lady J you use bird's nest face masks every day?? wow! dedication to beauty! heehee
@amy the bub takes it sometimes with porridge but I haven't given her by itself yet.. wary of whether it is clean enough haha...
How interesting. I have heard of this but, I really didn't know anything about it. Thanks for linking it up at Home Sweet Home!
Sherry
I heard that the reason its so expensive because saliva is the main ingrediant to birds nest soup. that doesn't seem like it could be true..is it?
i usesd two small bottles of birds nest i made a basic chicken stock added a slice of ginger some finely sliced onion. Then added finely sliced snow peas, baby corn, carrot,and brocoli.Salt and pepper for taste and a dash of soy.Then added the birds nest. I managed to get 8 small servings. Its by no way a classic recepie but still tasted delicious and cost wise worked out well.
I couldn't refrain from commenting. Perfectly written!
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