What is bird's nest?

Bird's nest refers to the nests built by some swiftlets of the family Apodidae in the order Apodiformes, and several species of swiftlets in the genus Swiftlet, using their saliva mixed with other substances.

Bird's nest, also known as swallow's nest, swallow's root, swallow's nest cup, golden thread, etc., is a precious cooking ingredient and tonic, but there is no research evidence to support the claim that it has extremely high nutritional value.

Bird's nests can be divided into two types based on where they are built: "house nests" and "cave nests." Cave nests vary in color due to the influence of minerals, and can be classified as white, yellow, or red. House nests, on the other hand, are only ivory white. The so-called "blood bird's nests" on the market are said to be made from artificially cultivated house nests through a "bird droppings infection method."

The main nutrient in bird's nest is protein, which contains one essential amino acid (lysine) and three conditionally essential amino acids. The human body needs eight essential amino acids and thirteen conditionally essential amino acids.

Legend has it that the first person in China to eat bird's nest was Zheng He, a Ming Dynasty navigator. Zheng He's fleet encountered a severe storm at sea and anchored on a deserted island in the Malay Archipelago, where food was scarce. They accidentally discovered bird's nests on a rocky cliff and ordered their men to harvest them. After cleaning them, they simply boiled them in water to stave off hunger. Several days later, the crew members all had rosy complexions and were full of energy. The fleet then took some back to China and presented it to Emperor Yongle.