Keeping pace with modern life, besides raw bird's nest, people also pre-process it, pick out the feathers or steam it ready to drink to save preparation time. So depending on the type, bird's nest has different ways of storage. Let's find out with Yến Sào Sài Gòn!
Storing bird's nest with feathers
Nowadays many people do not know how to store raw bird's nest, also called whole nest with feathers. How can you keep the nest from spoiling while preserving its nutrients?
Usually each time you buy, you will buy about 1 tael (lạng) of whole nest with feathers and eat it over about 2 to 3 months. So how should you store it during this time so it does not deteriorate?
The general principle when storing whole nest with feathers is to keep the nest completely dry. Keep it in a clean, cool place, away from damp places or direct sunlight.
Storing feather-picked bird's nest
Feather-picked bird's nest has been cleaned of up to 99% of feathers and impurities and dirt. It retains a high nutrient content and the properties of raw nest.
To store feather-picked nest, you only need to seal the nest in a plastic box or nylon bag and keep it in a dry, cool place. It is best kept in the refrigerator so it lasts longer. In a sealed environment the nest can be kept for 3 – 5 years.
Storing fresh bird's nest
Fresh bird's nest is raw nest that, after pre-processing, has had all feathers and impurities removed and has not been dried.
To store fresh nest, first leave it in a sieve to drain. Then divide the nest into small bags (amounts suited to your family's portions). Then put these small bags of nest into the freezer. Each time you use it, just take out a bag, thaw it and steam the nest as usual. With freezer storage, fresh nest can be kept for up to 6-12 months. However, to ensure freshness and flavour, it is best to use it within 3 months.
How to store ready-to-drink bird's nest
Storing bird's nest after steaming is extremely necessary. Any cooked food needs care, otherwise bacteria will enter after a short time. The same applies to steamed bird's nest: you need to seal it and keep it refrigerated at 2-5 degrees C (the cool compartment of the refrigerator), or you can put it in the freezer compartment if you want to keep it longer
Steamed bird's nest kept in the cool compartment can last 7-14 days. For longer, put it in the freezer compartment to extend its shelf life up to 3 – 6 months.
How to tell if bird's nest has gone bad
If the nest is kept too long or stored incorrectly, it will be affected by humidity and oxidation. At that point, the nest appears slightly soft, dirty and a little damp and mouldy.
There are 2 ways to dry bird's nest if we are forced to preserve it: cold drying and heat drying.
Heat drying works like this: if you have enough equipment, the ideal temperature is 37 degrees for 36 hours. At this temperature the nest retains 99% of its nutrients, with humidity <3%, and above all the nest will not be burned by the heat.
In addition, if the surface of the nest has turned black, it means the nest has been corroded by bacteria or severely oxidised. At this point the nest can no longer be used; do not feel sorry to throw it away if you do not want to get cancer.
Yến Sào Sài Gòn wishes you success!