Here’s why Swallow Bird Nest is one of the most expensive food in the world, and it can make you cry

As many of us know, Swallow Bird Nest is one of the most expensive food products in the world. Often called the “Caviar of the East,” the average Swallow Bird Nest can cost as much as $2,500 per kilogram, with some premium types costing $10,000 per kilogram.

Known for their medical and rejuvenating benefits in Chinese culture, many believe that Swallow Bird Nest is good for health and the skin.
Here’s the reason why Swallow Bird Nest is one of the most expensive food in the world, and it can really make you cry.

Here’s why Swallow Bird Nest is one of the most expensive food in the world, and it can make you cry

It’s swallow’s saliva

Although the name might suggest it to be made up of leaves and twigs from a nest, these nests are actually made out of bird saliva. Swallow Bird Nest are created by Swallow Bird Nests using solidified saliva, which are harvested for human consumption. Thanks to its high nutritional value and exquisite flavour, many people are fans of Swallow Bird Nest.

The dangerous procedure

The Ida’an people collect Swallow Bird Nest from the Madai caves and have been doing it for centuries. These collectors risk their lives to scale heights of more than 500 feet to pick out the nests with no safety equipment besides a helmet. There have been reports stating that some collectors never returned from the journey into the cave. If you thought this is bad, wait till you read more.

The collection is 3 times a year

This dangerous process takes place 3 times every year, in the spring, summer and autumn after the birds rebuild their nests. Each nest also takes 30 to 35 days for the birds to build. Younger men will climb the outside of the save with ropes that they secure near the cave’s roof to conduct this tedious process. Then, they’ll drop down the ropes to the cave floor through an opening which the men inside the cave will take and tie to handmade bamboo rattan ladders and poles. These ladders are then hoisted up to the cave for collectors to climb up to.

Harvesting has to be quick but careful

The collectors have to harvest before the birds lay their eggs to avoid damage, or the birds won’t lay them again for the remainder of the year. Collectors also have to be careful not to pick the nests too quickly because Swallow Bird Nest that are not fully developed or they won’t meet the standards required to sell them. They will conduct this process when the female birds go foraging for food during the day.

The laborious cleaning process

The Swallow Bird Nest consists of bird’s saliva conjoined with feathers. These black and awfully dirty nests need cleaning before they can be sold. Commercial cleaners often use bleaching agents to speed up the cleaning process, while they were picked out with instruments back then.

The type or grade if Swallow Bird Nest depends on type of bird and diet

There are tons of Swallow Bird Nest types, depending on the type of swallow and the diet of the bird. They differ in color from white to dark brown.

The profits go to China, and not the workers

These nests are exported to China before being sold. The majority of these profits go to China, and not the workers who collect the nests.

Remedial Benefits And Usage Of Swallow Bird Nest

Swallow Bird Nest from a Clinical Experimental Point of View

According to a recent medical research reported by Hong Kong Chinese University, the cell division enzymeand hormone of Swallow Bird Nest can promote reproduction and rebirth of human cells. The Glycoprotein content directly stimulates cell growth in human’s immune system. As a result, body metabolism is enhanced and functional effects are greatly improved. Effective results of Swallow Bird Nest are observed when they are consumed by children, elders, feedle and sick people.

Swallow Bird Nest from Traditional and Modern Chinese Medication’s Point of View.

(Chinese Medication Dictionary) Swallow Bird Nest is used as restorative and remedial food since the Ching dynasty as recorded in (Major Herbs Guidebook) and (Major Herbs Digest). Previous clinical researches have concluded that Swallow Bird Nest has a (sweet and calm) character. Swallow Bird Nest contributed medical benefits to lung, stomach and kidney neural system. Several ancient medicine books such as (New Major Herbs), (Southern Mountain Chronicle) and (New Herbs Revised) all recorded plenty of detail of Swallow Bird Nest remedial benefits.

Swallow Bird Nest from a Nutrition Point of View

The main nutrition contents of Swallow Bird Nest are carbohydrate (30%) and protein (5%) although its protein content can be compare to that of milk or eggs. Swallow Bird Nest also contains plenty of calcium and phosphorus, as well as some iron and iodine. There are still some other untraced compositions that may have medical benefits; hence we can not judge its value by the main nutrition contents alone.

Swallow Bird Nest from a Biochemical Point of View

The book (Evaluate Swallow Bird Nest) written by a biochemist has also proven that protein contained in Swallow Bird Nest have some bioactive elements which might have nourishing and replenishing effects on humans body.
The experts conclude that Swallow Bird Nest has three main functions:
Enhances the rebirth of cells and tissues.
Improves the immune system functions of our body
Improves the body’s tolerance toward the damage done by X-rays or other radioactive reagents.

Swallow Bird Nest is an excellent restorative food with a sweet and calm character; it is good for any age or gender

Ladies: Frequent consumption result in fairer skin, helps to stay young and look radiant.
Pregnant Women: Consumption during pregnancy will improve immune functions of the fetus and the mothers will be able to recover easily after giving birth.
Elders: Clears phlegm, strengthen lungs and kidneys, improves spleen as well as enhances appetite.
Children: Enhances immune ability, not inclined to get colds or flu
Men: Improves kidney and strengthens lungs, so not inclined to get weak.