IDENTIFY FAKE NESTS
Some merchants use chemicals to process and clean swallow nest. One can tell the difference between chemically treated processed nests from those of untreated materials by the shine of the cement strands. Nest cement that is too shiny and smells strangely is likely the result of chemical additive. Cleaned nests that are too red in color could be the result of dye additives which will dissolve after soaking.
Other illegal merchants may coat a layer of egg white or jelly on poor quality imitations. This would add extra weight. The fake swallow nest would reflect light and look opaque. In contrast, light will penetrate through a genuine swallow nest. Some fraudulent swallow nests are made of "Malaysian rubber" or "pig skin". The former smells and tastes acidic and does not contain nest threads while the latter releases oil after soaking in water. Some fake ready-made swallow nest and nest pieces are made of resin or bleached laver.
As a way of differentiating qualities, price is a fair guideline. The higher the quality of a swallow nest, the greater the nutritional value, expanding capacity (applied mostly to white nest as red nest generally does not expand as much) and beauty.
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We are one of the established corporation in selling variety of quality edible birds nest since year 2000. We collect varies birds nest from natural cave in Sarawak and derived them into our quality products e.g Golden Silky Birds Nest, White Cave Bird Nest, Niah Cave Birds Nest, House Birds Nest. All our products are processed naturally and No Chemicals and Preservative added into our products. We process them natural using traditional method of pickling of furr.
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GRADING OF BIRDS NEST
The grading of swallow nest is based on the proportion of nest-cement. Low grades are given to nests with many feathers incorporated in the nest-cup, with softened bases. Good quality nests are distinguished by the firm basal attachments and a comparatively large proportion of nest-cement with few feathers in the nest-cup.
The best swallow nest is in the shape of a cup or a boat. Swallow nest can be triangular in shape if it has been built in the corner of two adjacent walls. Nests that are broader in width rank higher and are pricier. However, for nutritional value the shape does not matter.
Good nest should be of natural color, containing no mud and other impurities. The color of the white nest is an actual ivory. The yellow nest and the blood-red nest are colored yellowish gold and red respectively. The variations and intensity in the color are due to the difference in the mineral contents of the food the swiftlet eats. Regardless of their colors, swallow nests expand when soaked in water, but in different degrees. The coloration of the swallow nest will fade a bit upon soaking; however, the water used for soaking should remain colorless. If a nest looks extraordinarily white, it may have been bleached. The nutritional value of bleached nest is obviously affected; it could also be harmful to health.
Swallow nests that have finer, denser nest threads, or are bigger and thicker in volume are considered better. Nests are also selected by smell. A real swallow nest retains a little bit of a fishy smell of the swiftlet's saliva. When cooked, it releases a light aroma resembling the aroma of an egg white.
There is a rare type of swallow nest in Indonesia, only harvested on the island of Flores. It is purple as opposed to white, yellow or red, and sells for approximately five times the price of white nests.
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