Bird’s nest soup is one of the nutritious delicacies of Southeast Asia and other parts of the world. If you own a bird’s nest restaurant, or intend to purchase large quantities, you need to understand how to identify the authentic ones. The following are relevant tips on how to buy:

Decide the type you want

There are three main types of bird nests, and they are all built by Swiftlets. Before you start shopping, you need to decide on the type you want. Here are the three different types you can choose from:

Red nests

These are nests that have a bright red color. They are usually harvested once or twice a year. About 50% of all bird nests are red nests. However, red nests are considered the most expensive type due to their nutritional value and demand.

White nests

White nests are built by Swiftlets that have never mated. They are considered the highest quality nests and the most common in Southeast Asia.

Yellow nests

The yellow nests are produced by the same species of swifts that produce the white nests. But unlike the white nests, the yellow ones are produced by Swiftlets that are already mating. They are usually creamy in color and one of the most sought after.

Ask if the nests are endorsed by the appropriate authority.

Genuine bird nests are often government backed. Before you buy one, ask if it is endorsed by the appropriate regulatory agency. The market is flooded with various fake nests. As such, the government of countries where bird’s nests are available for sale often approve genuine ones to protect the public and curb the activities of fake sellers.

Inspection

See the nests you want to pay for before you buy. Physical inspection is a crucial part of buying authentic. The genuine ones are made from the saliva of Swiftlets birds and you can easily smell the eggs in the nest. Birds use the nest to raise their young, and sometimes you may find feathers in them.

Fake bird nests are made from a number of different materials. They are unhealthy and harmful. If you are absolutely new to buying it, you may need to go to an expert who can easily distinguish between the fake and the real ones. Don’t fall into the trap of buying a replica instead of an authentic one.

How to verify the authenticity of nests

Avoid buying packaged bird’s nests, they are extremely difficult to check. Also, keep the following in mind whenever you want to buy:

Size

The birds (Swiftlets) that produce the nests are not exactly the same size. Some are larger while others are smaller, so all their nests cannot be exactly the same size. However, on average, most nests are 6-7 millimeters in diameter. It weighs around 10-15 grams. It has a thick base and a thin wall. Nests that are the same size are not authentic. They are man-made. Authentic sizes may be similar but not exactly the same. Please be careful about the size before buying.

Appearance

The color of a bird’s nest is a strong sign of its authenticity. The color of the authentic ones is not absolutely white or reflective. Some false nests are chemically bleached to change their color; These are usually very white and reflective. Some of these bleaching chemicals are harmful to humans and can cause serious health problems. Appearance is an easy way to tell the difference between fake and real.

How to spot fake bird nests

Fake bird nests are often made from mushrooms, gelatin, glue and flour, pigskin, sea gum, or algae from trees. But counterfeiters are smart, and they know how to make fake ones look authentic. But there are some loopholes, and you can easily take advantage of them to identify the false ones.

Odor

Authentic ones often have the smell of eggs because they are used to raise young Swiftlets birds after hatching. Whereas, fake ones often have a fishy chemical smell and bleach. Do your best to smell the ones you intend to buy.

Flexibility

Real bird nests are made from Swiftlets saliva. As such, they are brittle and break easily. The fake ones are usually elastic, can be bent and do not break easily. Fakes are often made from a shiny surface and feel like plastic when touched.

Water experiment

Here is a simple experiment to check if a bird’s nest is fake or authentic. Soak a small portion in water for a few minutes and then gently pull on your strands. If it comes off instantly and easily, then it is false. Authentic ones are made from Swiftlets saliva and the saliva solidifies like cement. It takes almost 48 hours or more to fully saturate the real ones for your locks to loosen up.

conclusion

The market for birds’ nests is constantly expanding and competition is fierce among sellers. While many sellers are focused on selling genuine nests, others are making huge profits selling fake nests to buyers who cannot differentiate between fake and genuine nests. But if you intend to buy a bird’s nest in bulk or in bulk, the various tips mentioned in this article will guide you to the right seller.