Raw bird's nest is nest that has not gone through pre-processing. At this stage the nest still contains feathers, droppings and impurities. The general principle when choosing raw bird's nest is: choose a nest whose strands stand out clearly, clean, with few impurities and feathers stuck to the nest. Below are details on how to choose raw bird's nest for each type of nest.
How to choose white nest - White nest is bird's nest ranging in colour from white to dark yellow.
For island white nest
Island white nest is natural white bird's nest taken from islands. Island white nest is usually small and round in shape. The base of the nest (where the nest meets the cave wall) is very hard – firm and uneven. This is because the rock surface the nest clings to is uneven.
Because of the harsh natural weather, island nests usually have a rough surface. The rougher the nest and the deeper yellow its colour, the more mature the nest.
Island white nest usually has a mild, pungent sea smell. However, this smell disappears if the nest is left exposed to the outside environment (that is, not stored in a sealed box). You will hardly smell it any more.
Compared with house-farmed nest, island nest strands are usually chewier, while house nest strands are usually more brittle.
For house white nest
House white nest is white nest harvested from swiftlet-farming households. These nests form in artificial swiftlet houses. However, this does not mean the birds are caged or fed by people. Swiftlets still have to forage for food in the natural environment outside. This type of nest usually has a fairly large, flat base.
House white nest has a flatter surface than island white nest. When soaked in water, the strands soften and swell rather than dissolve.
How to choose Pink Nest – Pink Nest is naturally light orange or deep orange in colour.
In general, choosing Pink Nest is similar to choosing white nest. The only difference is that island Pink Nest has a natural orange colour, light in the middle and deepening towards the edge of the nest. House Pink Nest is light orange, with a softer and more even colour than island Pink Nest.
How to choose red bird's nest – Red bird's nest ranges from light red to deep red, and the soaking water does not change colour when it is soaked.
Red bird's nest can only form and be harvested in the wild. Choosing red bird's nest is not very different from choosing island white nest. Because the weather outdoors is very harsh, red bird's nest usually has a rough surface. The rougher the nest and the deeper the colour, the more mature the nest.
Red bird's nest has a very natural red colour with clearly visible grain. When soaked in clean water, the water does not turn coloured, and the piece of red bird's nest keeps its colour even when steamed into the finished dish.
With these tips, Yến Sào Sài Gòn hopes to contribute a little to our dear customers in choosing quality raw bird's nest. And for extra assurance, customers should buy bird's nest from reputable places that have been on the market for many years!
Yến Sào Sài Gòn wishes our customers success!