World's Most Pointless Food: Birds Spit Soup

In sea-side caves in parts of Asia, most notably Indonesia and Thailand, there is a species of swift, a bird, that regurgitates protein-laden mucus and fashions it into a nest. It's been doing it for thousands of years, so unsurprisingly someone at some point happened by and said to themselves 'Yeah, I'd eat that.' These days, a kilo of nests can fetch thousands of dollars, with price reflecting supposed quality, because eating a bad batch of bird mucus would just be gross. There are two slight variations on the origin story of this, the most pointless of foods.

In the first version there was once an emperor who was ancient, wise, kind, powerful and really good at volleyball. He was also quite the gourmand, and was constantly in search of new foods to sample. One day, a devoted servant made him a soup out of this Birds Spit Soup. He tried it, said something to the tune of 'Eh, it's pretty good I guess', and the people rejoiced by chowing down on any Birds Spit Soup they could get their hands on.
The second version involves another ancient emperor who was neither wise nor kind, but made up for it by being vicious and crazy. He too was quite the gourmand and always had servants out in search of new foods. All his cooks who failed to deliver to his exacting standards of originality and tastefulness were swiftly (and presumably tastefully) executed. One such cook, completely out of ideas but not wanting to end up like his predecessor, came across these nests one day and just tossed one into a soup as a last resort. He fearfully delivered the soup to his emperor who tried it, but then declared this birds-nest soup to be boring, just like plain old regular soup. Seeing his life flash before his eyes, the cook took this opportunity to frantically ad-lib any health benefits he could lay his mind on. To this, the emperor replied 'Oh. Why didn't you say so?' The emperor finished his soup, sighed contentedly and then declared, based on his expansive knowledge of nutrition, that the birds-nest soup did indeed have health benefits. But because the emperor was, classically speaking, a dick, he went and had everyone else who knew about this miracle food, other than the cook, killed in order to protect the knowledge. From then on, the cook would give the nesting cave's location to other servants who would go and get the nests only to be killed on their return.

World's Most Pointless Food: Birds Spit Soup

And really, not a whole lot has changed since then. Harvesting the nests is still ridiculously dangerous work, done in the darkness of caves, hundreds of feet in the air, supported only with rickety bamboo scaffolds, slippery with accumulated bird crap. Falls are common – some figures put the risk of work-related death at 1 in 60. It's hard to tell though. The ridiculous amount of money to be had from nests forces most Birds Spit Soup businesses to keep an extremely low profile. They don't want to give away the location of their caves for fear of poachers and they don't want to open up their collecting teams (which always include armed guards) to bandit attacks. And it totally happens. Groups of people have literally entered into open gunfights over these freaking Birds Spit Soups. In Thailand in the 1990s, for instance, one such clash left 29 people dead. And it's not a problem that can be solved with open access either. Indonesia's Berau district tried that once, and never again. When they opened a cave to the public, the public wasted absolutely no time in going completely nuts – murder and robbery became the order of the day.

These days, a system has emerged:

Birds Spit Soup businesses bid against each other for the rights to harvest certain caves, and harvest they do. As you can imagine, tearing down a nest every time it makes one can get discouraging for the bird, and most swifts will give up after two or three attempts a year at starting a family, which isn't great news for the population of the species. Whittling away at the population of an animal isn't anything new though. What's slightly more intriguing in this often happens in national parks. So just how much damage is being done to the Swift populations here? Who knows. When government forestry officials come by to do their job, they're flat out told to piss off. However, the guards are somewhat less considerate to locals, tourists and any other passer by, and are known for having a tendency to shoot people on sight, simply for accidentally drifting a bit too close to their cave islands.

So what's it all about then?

What's the deal with the actual food? That bird phlegm must taste incredible, and those health benefits must be amazing, right? Well, that depends on who you ask. Purveyors of Birds Spit Soup are insistent that it's definitely good for you. Of course, it has a rejuvenating, anti-aging effect (because honestly, what miracle food doesn't?) and it has a whole set of other benefits, each more impressively vague than the last, culminating with “Previous clinical researches have concluded that Birds Spit Soup has a sweet and calm character.” Oh good. Clinically shown to have a sweet and calm character. Maybe the next phase of this “clinical researches” can be dedicated to establishing whether adding tomato to a sandwich makes the bread feel insecure. The one thing all Birds Spit Soup vendors agree on is that the stuff is definitely good for the libido... which would be slightly more impressive if there was a single ancient Chinese remedy that wasn't meant to improve your sex life.
Ok, let's set aside the semi-literate Birds Spit Soup hawkers, and instead see what people have actually concluded about the health benefits of Birds Spit Soup. Well, so far, they've concluded that edible Birds Spit Soups definitely exist, either do or do not have health benefits, and may or may not kill you. Applying a swift dose of common sense, one can safely assume that even if the stuff did have health benefits, one would need to knock back about a dozen bowls of this stuff a day, and given how much it costs, that's a tall order. And even if you do, it's not like you're going to enjoy your meal. At best, the nests "taste of nothing whatsoever." At worst, they probably taste like a feathery urinal. People die for it, it's outrageously expensive, it has no proven health benefits and it is one of the more objectively nasty foods out there. It has absolutely nothing going for it. It truly is the world's post pointless food. A more informative person than I, however, might have mentioned that most nests these days come from fairly safe and sustainable bird houses, but you'll have to find that person and get them to mention it, because I didn't.

The Dangers Of Bleached Edible Birds Spit Soups

Whilst pure edible Birds Spit Soups are rich in nutrients with health promoting properties for the human body, its high market value means that there is a type of “black market” of the same product but a much lower quality version. Improper cleaning reduces the nutrient content and poses a real threat to consumers.

As edible Birds Spit Soups are a natural product it is only to be expected that there will be certain impurities, i.e., feathers, vegetation, sand etc which require a careful cleaning process to ensure that these imperfections are not transmitted to the consumer. However, to reduce costs, many manufacturers do not carry out an ethical cleaning process to the desired standard.
The traditional method requires removing the feathers using a floatation technique that involves vegetable oils. At the same time, use of bleaching agents was also adopted and as mentioned previously, this stripped the nests of their nutritive qualities so an alternative formula that involves dissolution of the nest, filtration and freeze drying was researched to replace the traditional method. This new procedure is more cost effective so the aim is to pass the saved expense to the consumer, leveling out the market’s playing field.

But what happens if corners are cut and instead of following procedure, they simply bleach the Birds Spit Soups? How can you differentiate between a pure Birds Spit Soup and the fake kind? And what is the government currently doing to prevent the widespread market of contaminated products?

Contaminants and Government Policy

At this time there are many conflicting regulations and guidelines with regards edible Birds Spit Soup production and this has provoked a situation in which a mind blowing 90% of these traders do not operate with a valid license or comply with the approved cleaning process.
Those who insist on chemical bleached Birds Spit Soups run the risk of introducing highly toxic substances that can cause cancer. The most used chemicals used are H202, S02 and S03.
Not only do consumers have to be concerned about bleached Birds Spit Soups, but of those deceitful traders who would scam people into purchasing artificially dyed red Birds Spit Soups as many consider them to be of a higher value but in actual fact, studies show that these contain more natural contaminants than the white counterpart. The red nests are normally constructed in caves upon which the iron and other materials in the environment are absorbed

Real vs. Fake

a) The nests shouldn’t be totally white or reflective in any way.
b) Natural nests vary in size and weight whereas manufactured nests are uniform.
c) Smell the nest to see if you can detect the scent of eggs. If there is no smell, the nest hasn’t been treated or only in a small dose. If you note an unpleasant smell then the nest has more than likely been chemical bleached.
d) As they are built with saliva, these strands will separate from each other when soaked in water and will be of a different length.
Preserve the industry; do NOT accept bleached Birds Spit Soups.

Frequently asked questions about Birds Spit Soup

Birds Spit Soup is the saliva produced by a special species of swallow called the swiftlet while building the nest. The saliva glues with other impurities (such as feathers) to form the nest. Among the different species of swiftlets, golden swiftlet’s saliva has the purest protein content and the highest nutrient value.

1.How to pre-soak and expand Birds Spit Soup?

It is necessary to have Birds Spit Soup soaked and expanded before stewing. “soak & expand” means to soak Birds Spit Soup in cool and clean water so that it can be totally infiltrated with water and absorb maximum water content. Different types of Birds Spit Soup have different soaking time, varying from 3-7 hours. Wild/cave nests require at least 24 hours of soaking time. Birds Spit Soup will expand after soaking. Minimal amount of feathers might be found in pure natural Birds Spit Soup after expansion. Use tweezers to remove them or rinse the Birds Spit Soup several times.
Procedure:
1.Soak Birds Spit Soup for some time first (different types of Birds Spit Soup need different time of soaking), the water should cover the whole Birds Spit Soup so that it can absorb maximum water content. Refresh soaking water once or twice during soaking.
2.Use tweezers to remove the feathers. (For the elderly or persons having bad eye sight, perform this by placing Birds Spit Soup on a piece of white cloth to reduce tiredness).
3.Put the soaked Birds Spit Soup in a strainer to filter the water.
4.Rinse the Birds Spit Soup several times. Tear off the Birds Spit Soup tissue and wash away the impurities with running water.

Frequently asked questions about Birds Spit Soup

2.How to cook Birds Spit Soup?

All types of Birds Spit Soup should be prepared with indirect heat (i.e., stewing or steaming). One should take caution not to boil the nests. Please cook the nests after they have been pre-soaked (see above for pre-soaking).
Stewing Tips:
•When stewing, the water must cover the entire Birds Spit Soup, but the condensed level depends on individual’s preference.
•The water level inside the stewing mug (including Birds Spit Soup, water and other ingredients) should not be higher than 70% of the stewing mug’s height. The water level will rise once the heated ingredients expand.
•Bring water to boil, then reduce the heat down to simmer.
•The ‘mitogenic stimulation factor’ contained in Birds Spit Soup is active at around 80 degree Celsius. It will lose its effectiveness if direct boiling is applied on Birds Spit Soup causing damage to its proteins at high temperature. Therefore, always remember to apply low heat to simmer Birds Spit Soup and keep the temperature inside the stewing pot at around 80 degree Celsius.
•You may choose to stew the Birds Spit Soup with an electronic stewing pot which is safe and convenient. All you need to do is to adjust the heat intensity to low level.
•Add rock sugar at the end of stewing process to make the Birds Spit Soup taste better.
•For hygienic consideration, please consume Birds Spit Soup with a thoroughly clean spoon. Reheat the Birds Spit Soup when necessary. However, please do not make use of microwave oven since high temperature will spoil the nutrient of Birds Spit Soup.

3.Is there any special method to treat Birds Spit Soup corner?

Yes. It is preferable to cut the corners out from the Birds Spit Soup body and soak them separately to allow longer soaking time. Birds Spit Soup corner is the first saliva secreted by swiftlet and becomes the hardest portion on both edges of Birds Spit Soup; therefore, it has the highest viscosity and needs longer soaking time (about 6 to 8 hours). In order to make it more water absorbable, it should be torn to into smaller pieces before soaking. Birds Spit Soup corner has bigger expandability than Birds Spit Soup body and has better mouth-feel.

4.Why stains are found on Birds Spit Soup?

Swiftlets may accidentally break the eggs during hatching and the nest is thus stained. Although stains do not look good, they will disappear after soaking. The presence of stains does not affect the nutritional value of Birds Spit Soup.

5.Why red Birds Spit Soup is red in color?

There are some misconceptions about red Birds Spit Soups. The most common misconception is that the red-colored Birds Spit Soups are formed by swiftlets which vomit their blood to build the nests. Another common misconception is that the red Birds Spit Soups are produced by a different species of swiftlet which consumes different kinds of water and/or food.
However, contrary to these popular misconceptions, swiftlets do not vomit blood, neither do they consume different kinds of water and food. All the so called “blood-red cubilose” on the market is fake. All the blood red nests are ordinary Birds Spit Soups that have been dyed, resulting in excessive nitrite levels. (http://foodsafety.suencs.com/archives/18586). Some dishonest vendors apply red dye to their Birds Spit Soups in order to fetch higher prices. Nitrite is used as a preservative in curing meat, and to make meat redder. (http://foodsafety.suencs.com/archives/18686). Hence, red Birds Spit Soups may be harmful rather than beneficial to humans.
For the foregoing reasons, BBNest only sells only the highest quality, pure natural, white Birds Spit Soups.

6.Is cave Birds Spit Soup better than farmed Birds Spit Soup?

No. Cave Birds Spit Soups are more limited in quantity; and hence, the higher prices. However, unknown to many consumers, cave nests are not better than farmed nests. In fact, cave nests generally contain more foreign materials and feathers than farmed nests. As a result, cave nests are generally darker in color than farmed nests. Cave nests also have naturally thicker texture.

7.Do Birds Spit Soups that contain feathers have substandard quality?

No. It is normal for Birds Spit Soup containing some hair feathers. Since Birds Spit Soup is the home of swiftlets, it is natural that detached feathers would fall on the nest during swiftlets’ activities. Our workers meticulously and thoroughly remove these feathers. However, it is possible that a very minimal amount of feathers would remain due to their microscopic size. Bleaching is the only way to make all the feathers disappear. Birds Spit Soups that do not contain feathers at all, most likely have undergone chemical bleaching. BBNest does not use any chemical or beaching agents in our processes. We sell only pure natural nests that are processed with chemical free and bleach free methods.

8.Why are cracks found on Birds Spit Soup?

For easy removing of feathers from Birds Spit Soup, workers may squeeze out narrow space from the nest tissue to pick out the feathers. However, this will not affect the quality of Birds Spit Soup.

9.Is that the color of Birds Spit Soup the whiter the better?

Birds Spit Soups have dark, light, bright and dim appearances. Their natural color is yellowish or ivory. This is because the food they eat is not purely white, and so is their saliva. If the Birds Spit Soup’s color is pure white, it may have probably been bleached.

10.What makes Birds Spit Soup have rejuvenation efficacy?

It is believed that the water-soluble protein of Birds Spit Soup contains both Mitogenic Stimulation Factor and Epidermic Growth Factor which some people believe can boost cell growth and tissue repair, as well as regulate the function of the endocrine system, thus help maintain fine skin.

11.Is old stock of Birds Spit Soup better than fresh Birds Spit Soup?

No. Birds Spit Soup comprises mainly of protein. The nutritional value of Birds Spit Soup will decrease after stored for a long time. It is suggested not to store Birds Spit Soup for over one year.

12.Birds Spit Soup dissolved in water after stewing. Is it fake ?

The stewing of Birds Spit Soup does not require long time. The stewing time differs according to the type of Birds Spit Soup.

13.Why use indirect heat to cook Birds Spit Soup?

It is hard to control the fire temperature when applying direct boiling. When Birds Spit Soup is heated to high temperature, its water-soluble proteins may be destroyed, losing its nutritional value. Simmering keeps the temperature of Birds Spit Soup at around 80 degree Celsius. This way, the water-soluble proteins are preserved - the aroma and nutrition of Birds Spit Soup are retained.

14.Why we have to stew Birds Spit Soup with rock sugar, but not brown sugar or white sugar?

According to Chinese medicine practitioners, rock sugar is the purest amongst other sugar. They believe that rock sugar is nourishing and can lubricate lung and supplement body energy. White sugar is easy to induce phlegm and brown sugar is hot in nature. So, rock sugar is the best sweetening agent to stew Birds Spit Soup.

15.How to make rock sugar syrup?

First, put some rock sugar in a cooking pot and add hot water. Stir from time to time while simmering until the rock sugar melts completely. Pour the rock sugar syrup into a bottle after it cools down and place in a refrigerator. Add rock sugar syrup to stewed Birds Spit Soup when served, according to your own taste. Generally, we recommend using 20 grams of rock sugar for every cup (250 ml) of water.

16.How to prepare Birds Spit Soup congee?

First, stew Birds Spit Soup with low heat. When done, mix it with a pot of cooking congee right before it reaches its boiling point. Boil together for about 3 to 5 minutes.

17.What is the appropriate amount of Birds Spit Soup for consumption?

1.1 to 2 tablespoonfuls daily, or 1 to 2 bowls weekly.
2.Birds Spit Soup is best absorbed when taken with an empty stomach, preferably in the morning.
3.Consuming Birds Spit Soup continuously increases its efficacy.
4.For beginner, it is suggested to take Birds Spit Soup daily. Frequency can be lowered after a certain period (say half a year). If taken every other day, stick to consistency.

18.What are the things we have to take note when taking Birds Spit Soup?

1.It is recommended to cook Birds Spit Soup by steaming (indirect heat) method. Direct cooking or boiling will lead to loss of its nutrient.
2.Birds Spit Soup should be steamed without adding any flavorings.
3.Steamed Birds Spit Soup and Birds Spit Soup congee are common for serving at home.
4.When Birds Spit Soup is served salty, add salt right before serving. If salt is added at the beginning of steaming, salt will decompose Birds Spit Soup evolving shrinkage and crispy results. You may choose to steam Birds Spit Soup together with chicken soup or mushroom soup instead.
5.When Birds Spit Soup is served sweet, add rock sugar syrup 15 minutes before steaming is done so as to preserve Birds Spit Soup’s quality. You may choose to prepare the serving together with coconut juice or almond juice.

19.Is it seasonal to consume Birds Spit Soup?

No. Consumption of Birds Spit Soup is fine for all seasons. In summer, serving of refrigerated Birds Spit Soup together with fresh fruits or cool milk is delicious and healthy. In winter, serve Birds Spit Soup together with meat can produce nourishing and stomach warming effect.

20.Can Birds Spit Soup be consumed when a person is in “Cool” or “Warm” body characteristic?

Yes. Birds Spit Soup is mild and calm in nature with plain taste. Therefore, it can be taken by any person having either “Cool” or “Warm” body characteristic.

21.Can a person catch a cold from consuming Birds Spit Soup?

No. According to ‘The Dictionary of Chinese Medication’, people having their lungs and stomachs in cold and weak state are not advisable to take Birds Spit Soup. Therefore, a person suffering from cold should eat Birds Spit Soup only after recovery.

22.What is the best way to preserve fresh Birds Spit Soup?

Store the Birds Spit Soup in the vegetable compartment of a refrigerator after purchase, or, on the day of purchase, and then put it inside a crisper or an airtight box. Birds Spit Soup can be stored for a long time in this way.

Types Of Edible Birds Spit Soup

Cave Birds Spit Soup

Workers use bamboo ladders, scaffoldings and rope ladders to climb the cave walls in order to harvest the nests. This high-skilled work has been a local tradition for generations.

Cave nests are mostly found in tall and steep cave walls which making nest-harvesting a high-risk profession. These nests usually contained high volume of feathers and debris that required intensive cleaning and are later made into strips or chunks. Its rarity makes the price extremely high.

House Birds Spit Soup

House Birds Spit Soup is found uniquely in coastal areas of Southeast Asia. With its geographical and climate advantages, the local people have transformed regular buildings into the ideal breeding ground for swiftlets thus called Bird’s House.

Unlike the common swallows, swiftlets are smaller in size (roughly about 11~12cm) and have a rather glittering greyish brown back. They have narrow wings and short tail feathers, which make them excellent in flight. Their legs are tiny, not suitable for walking. They spend most of the day in flight.

Swiftlets hunt during the day and return to the birdhouse at dusk. Adequately moist, these custom-built buildings provide an optimal nesting ground for the birds.

Even though their tiny legs may seem weak, swiftlets clutch firmly at the outer wall of their nests when resting. They never stay inside the nest.

People commonly think that consuming Birds Spit Soup would render swiftlets homeless. In fact, these nests are constructed for laying eggs. After the swiftlets grown up and flew off, the nests are then abandoned and can be readily harvested.

Nest-collectors will carry out monitoring scheme regularly and harvest only after baby chicks hatch, grow and leave the nest. The periodical monitoring and caretaking have contributed to the increase rate of birth and survival of the swiftlets in recent years.

Benefits Of Edible Birds Spit Soup

Most researchers have confirmed that pure Birds Spit Soups mainly contain water-soluble protein, fat, 8 types of essential amino acids, and elements such as sodium, iodine and other beneficial nutrients as well. Amino acids are the basic building blocks for protein and they must be supplied in the diet. They are lysine, methionine, leonine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan, valine, isoleucine.

Benefits Of Edible Birds Spit Soup

According to Compendium of Meteria Medica, Birds Spit Soup has a mild and gentle essence with benefits of strengthening the lungs, nourishing kidneys and improving spleen. It also enhances “qi” flow (“life energy”), reinforces the immune system and prevents coughs. It is widely viewed as the best health diet for those recovering from severe illness.
Studies conducted by nutritionists in the United States showed that the nutritional value of 1000g of dry nest includes 499g of water-soluble protein, 429g of calcium and 18 types of essential amino acid while 8 out of the 18 can’t be synthesized by the humans, and therefore must be supplied in the diet. It also contains 2 types of collagen that increases the speed of cell division that results in stimulating cell regeneration.
Easily digested and absorbed by human body, Birds Spit Soup is suitable for people of all ages. After regular and long term consumption of Birds Spit Soup, women will find their youth prolonged especially their skin remain youthful, men find strength and energy, and elderly find health while children find their appetite and healthier body. Moreover, an expecting mother who consumes Birds Spit Soup during her pregnancy strengthens the immune system of the baby.

Benefits Of Edible Birds Spit Soup

The Nutritional Value Of Birds Spit Soup

Most researchers have confirmed that pure Birds Spit Soups mainly contain water-soluble protein, fat, 8 types of essential amino acids, and elements such as sodium, iodine and other beneficial nutrients as well. Amino acids are the basic building blocks for protein and they must be supplied in the diet. They are lysine, methionine, leonine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan, valine, isoleucine.
Lysine readily converts its epsilon carbon then to carbon dioxide, helping to form glutamic acid. Methionine produces two other sulphur containing amino acids, cysteine and taurine. Leucine promotes the healing of bones, skin, and muscle tissue after traumatic injury, and is often recommended for those recovering from surgery. It is also popular among surgeons and athletes as supplements. Valine is a vital nutrient for babies because it helps regulate blood sugar and stimulate the central nervous system for proper mental functioning.

Choosing Good Birds Spit Soups

Birds Spit Soups are mainly produced in Southeast Asian countries such as Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, Burma and Hainan Province in Southern China. The texture and taste of Birds Spit Soup vary with the swiftlet’s habitat. Compared with cave nest, farmed nest is cleaner, softer and smoother in texture; and thus, shorter soaking/stewing time. Cave nests are mainly found in Thailand, Vietnam and Malaysia, whereas house nests are mostly produced in Indonesia.

Good Birds Spit Soups should possess one or more of the following qualities:

•Fine and firm texture
•Thick and big size, boat-shape
•Slight fishy smell
•Dry touching feel (little moisture content)
•Minimal amount of feathers
•Smaller edge size

Birds Spit Soup to avoid:

•Fake Color
It has been known that some unethical businessmen apply bleach or fumigate to low-value white Birds Spit Soup to change its color to red or yellow, so as to disguise it as high-value bloody red or yellow Birds Spit Soup. It is hard to sort them out (by layman) before soaking. Experienced customer could differentiate by Birds Spit Soup’s unique natural color. Cut out the Birds Spit Soup corner portion after expansion through soaking, it will appear in white color.
Fortunately, Company’s Nests are 100% natural white in color, without the use of chemicals or bleaching agents.
•Additives
Glued Birds Spit Soup is usually found in cup-shape Birds Spit Soups. Unethical businessmen apply flour, egg white, fish glue powder, glue powder, gum, starch or other gelling agents to mend the cracks on Birds Spit Soup. These kinds of gluing materials bear a little vinegar taste and can cause the soaking water to become turbid and slightly sticky.
By apply these additives, loose Birds Spit Soup threads on its inner body will become tight and its body surface will look glossy without any cracks. This kind of Birds Spit Soup is not easy to be broken. Consumers will have to pay more for the 20-30% extra weight, not to mention the additives they have to digest.
Our customers can be rest assured that Birds Spit Soups are free of any additives.
•Algae Birds Spit Soup
Commonly found in the marketed Birds Spit Soup cakes or cakes made of Birds Spit Soup threads. Algae is cut into thin threads, bleached and mingled with Birds Spit Soup cakes or Birds Spit Soup threads. They are hardly detectable. Algae Birds Spit Soup is flawless white, barely lustrous, rough and stiff. Hardly detectable though, the best way to differentiate is by its smell since algae Birds Spit Soup usually bears a little acidic scent, especially after soaking.
Company sells only 100% pure Birds Spit Soups. Our staffs are happy to explain to you in details about Birds Spit Soup knowledge and help you to differentiate genuine and fake Birds Spit Soup.

Fake vs. Real Birds Spit Soup

Consumers’ Guide to Choosing Real/Natural Birds Spit Soups:

•Avoid Colored Birds Spit Soups

All colored (i.e., blood red, yellow, etc.) Birds Spit Soups are fake. All colored nests are ordinary Birds Spit Soups that have been dyed, resulting in excessive nitrite levels. (http://foodsafety.suencs.com/archives/18586). Some dishonest vendors apply red dye to their Birds Spit Soups in order to fetch higher prices. Nitrite is used as a preservative in curing meat, and to make meat redder. (http://foodsafety.suencs.com/archives/18686).

•Avoid Birds Spit Soups that are uniformly snow white.

The lower part of the nests is naturally darker than the body of the nests. Birds Spit Soups that are uniformly snow white most likely have been bleached with chemicals.

Fake vs. Real Birds Spit Soup

•Avoid snow white ‘wild/cave nests’.

Wild/cave nests are naturally darker than farmed nests as they contain higher level of impurities and debris. Snow white ‘wild/cave’ nests have been bleached with chemicals.

•Natural texture and fibers should be visible on the nest’s surface.

Natural/real Birds Spit Soups have dense texture on its surface. The texture is made up of noticeable irregular thick and thin fibers, the denser the better. The threads of the interior body should be loose and intercrossed. All Birds Spit Soup has to undergo feather and impurities removal process, thus creating tiny cracks in between threads. Therefore, a few cracks can be visible even on high quality Birds Spit Soups.
In contrast, fake and/or lower quality nests lack texture. Lower quality Birds Spit Soups are glued so as to lock up the water content, creating the appearance of dry-looking surface and thicker body. The glue makes it harder for the nests to be broken. Lacking texture, glue-treated Birds Spit Soup often has smooth and glossy surface, which is the result of the bonding of the gluing material and the Birds Spit Soup into a sheet.

•Natural nests have pleasant, elegant, egg like smell.

Natural Birds Spit Soup delivers a natural slight egg-like smell that intensifies after soaking. Fake Birds Spit Soups, on the other hand, (such as those made from pig’s skin or algae) do not deliver the natural egg-like aroma of real Birds Spit Soups. Fake nests have unpleasant odor, such as oily and/or algae smell. Lower quality nests that had undergone chemical treatment release unpleasant chemical odor after cooking.

•Feathers.

Minimal number of feathers should be found in soaked natural Birds Spit Soup. If there is none, chemical bleaching might have been applied on the nest.

Birds Spit Soup Price

The benefits of Birds Spit Soup are proven in China from many centuries and it forms one of the major staple foods of the country. Even after such huge demand for the product in China, the country is not allowed to harvest Birds Spit Soups. This gives great opportunity to other Asian countries to cash the opportunity. No doubt, that Birds Spit Soup fetches huge prices from China because of its nutritional value. Depending upon the season of cultivation, species of swiflet bird, quantity, and quality of Birds Spit Soups, the House nest prices may range between RM 8,000 to RM 12,000 per kg. And Cave nest may range between RM 13,000 to RM 18, 000 per kg.

This price gives soaring margins to the manufacturers since the cultivating costs of Birds Spit Soups is just a fraction of the selling price. However, to earn maximum benefits, they need to maintain high quality and restrict the use of chemicals and bleaches during the cleaning process.
In the past, China had temporarily banned the import of Birds Spit Soups because of the presence of high quantities of nitrite in the products. Owing to factors, which leads the industry to crash sometimes, the prices of the raw Birds Spit Soups may drop or fluctuate according to the market demand. However not any more if you buying from us. We are here to ensure the consistency of stock, quality, stringent cleaning process so that you can enjoy the greatest taste & yet the benefits of the premium Birds Spit Soup.

Birds Spit Soup Types

There are two types of places to develop the nests of swiftlets:
In the caves
In the cultivated or abandoned houses

1自然洞穴 Cave nests

洞燕窝通常在收获马来西亚，即沙巴和砂拉越的天然洞穴、岩洞及悬崖上。由于受到大自然气候及天然环境所影响，专捕食天然杂虫，所以一般也相信它们所制的燕槽比较高营养,也因为采集风险高，价格也水涨船高。 燕窝的质地比较韧及硬，颜色比较深、外形不讨好、杂质较多、浸炖时间较长及爽口，
Cave nests are usually harvested in the natural caves of Malaysian states namely, Sabah and Sarawak. These caves vary in height and size, but they are typically found on lofty cliffs elevated against the sea. These kinds of nests usually contain more feather and dirt than the other variant.

2.人工屋育House Nests

这类燕窝是在屋檐或是人工燕屋下系统化培养。这种燕巢的质地比洞穴巢顺滑，它包含较少的杂质和羽毛。因此，燕窝可以保留其月牙或碗型或羽毛这也提高采集效益，经过消毒精选，和洞燕相比成本可以大大减低， 也不失其原有营养价值。
These nests are made by swiftlets under the house roof in the countryside. House nests are harvested from swallow houses. The texture of this kind of nests is smoother than the cave nests, and it contains lesser contaminants and feathers. Therefore, it is possible to retain the crescent kind of bowl or the cupped hand shape of the nest even after the feathers are removed.

燕子类型分为白燕窝，黄燕窝，血燕窝。

In these places, the following types of golden swallow nests spring up- white Birds Spit Soup, yellow Birds Spit Soup, and blood Birds Spit Soups. After the nests are taken off the houses, they need to be cleaned and processed before delivery. Malaysia single-handedly sends millions of Birds Spit Soups to Chinese communities all over the world. The main consumer countries of Birds Spit Soups include China, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand.

燕窝的品质：Quality of Birds Spit Soup

In terms of quality of Birds Spit Soup, they are classified into different categories such as:
Cave Birds Spit Soup 洞燕盏
House Birds Spit Soup 屋燕盏
Feather Birds Spit Soup 毛燕盏
Grass Birds Spit Soup 草燕盏
燕窝的处理分为：Although the benefits of Birds Spit Soups are innumerable to overwhelm anyone, but there are only two variants of Birds Spit Soups-:
Unprocessed Birds Spit Soups or Raw Birds Spit Soups 未经处理燕盏
Processed Birds Spit Soups or Clean Birds Spit Soups 已经处理燕盏
形状也分别为：条状，片状，饼状，粒状，散状
The nests come in different shapes such as strips, whole pieces, cakes, pieces, balls and broken pieces.

Birds Spit Soup Types

There are two types of places to develop the nests of swiftlets:
In the caves
In the cultivated or abandoned houses

1自然洞穴 Cave nests

洞燕窝通常在收获马来西亚，即沙巴和砂拉越的天然洞穴、岩洞及悬崖上。由于受到大自然气候及天然环境所影响，专捕食天然杂虫，所以一般也相信它们所制的燕槽比较高营养,也因为采集风险高，价格也水涨船高。 燕窝的质地比较韧及硬，颜色比较深、外形不讨好、杂质较多、浸炖时间较长及爽口，
Cave nests are usually harvested in the natural caves of Malaysian states namely, Sabah and Sarawak. These caves vary in height and size, but they are typically found on lofty cliffs elevated against the sea. These kinds of nests usually contain more feather and dirt than the other variant.

2.人工屋育House Nests

这类燕窝是在屋檐或是人工燕屋下系统化培养。这种燕巢的质地比洞穴巢顺滑，它包含较少的杂质和羽毛。因此，燕窝可以保留其月牙或碗型或羽毛这也提高采集效益，经过消毒精选，和洞燕相比成本可以大大减低， 也不失其原有营养价值。
These nests are made by swiftlets under the house roof in the countryside. House nests are harvested from swallow houses. The texture of this kind of nests is smoother than the cave nests, and it contains lesser contaminants and feathers. Therefore, it is possible to retain the crescent kind of bowl or the cupped hand shape of the nest even after the feathers are removed.

燕子类型分为白燕窝，黄燕窝，血燕窝。

In these places, the following types of golden swallow nests spring up- white Birds Spit Soup, yellow Birds Spit Soup, and blood Birds Spit Soups. After the nests are taken off the houses, they need to be cleaned and processed before delivery. Malaysia single-handedly sends millions of Birds Spit Soups to Chinese communities all over the world. The main consumer countries of Birds Spit Soups include China, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand

Birds Spit Soup Types

燕窝的品质：Quality of Birds Spit Soup

In terms of quality of Birds Spit Soup, they are classified into different categories such as:
Cave Birds Spit Soup 洞燕盏
House Birds Spit Soup 屋燕盏
Feather Birds Spit Soup 毛燕盏
Grass Birds Spit Soup 草燕盏
燕窝的处理分为：Although the benefits of Birds Spit Soups are innumerable to overwhelm anyone, but there are only two variants of Birds Spit Soups-:
Unprocessed Birds Spit Soups or Raw Birds Spit Soups 未经处理燕盏
Processed Birds Spit Soups or Clean Birds Spit Soups 已经处理燕盏
形状也分别为：条状，片状，饼状，粒状，散状
The nests come in different shapes such as strips, whole pieces, cakes, pieces, balls and broken pieces.

Birds Spit Soup Recipes

Discover ways to cook Birds Spit Soup and preserve it's nutrients to maximize absorption to body.

1. Mango Pudding with Birds Spit Soup

Ingredients :
•8 grams (1 piece) of dry Benevolence Birds Spit Soup.
•1 mango.
•2 packs of pudding powder.
•560 ml of boiled water.
•340 ml of evaporated milk.
Method:
•Pre-soak and stew the dry Birds Spit Soup. See instructions.
•Peel and core mangoes, cut into small pieces.
•Mix beaten egg and 100ml evaporated milk together. Set aside.
•Put pudding powder into bowl first and fill in boiled water. Mix it.
•Put into 240ml evaporated milk, add mango pieces.
•Stir gelatin with boiled water, and put the mixture into the pudding-water bowl. Add milk and cool-boiled water. Add (pre-soaked and stewed) Benevolence Birds Spit Soup, mango pieces and mix it. Let it sit and cool. Reserve some of Benevolence Birds Spit Soup (pre-soaked and stewed) for topping.
•Put the mixture into small moulds. Refrigerate until it set (3-4 hours).
•Tap the molds gently to release the pudding on to serving plates. Put the remaining Benevolence Birds Spit Soup (pre-soaked and stewed) with rock sugar on top of each pudding.
•Serve cold.

2. Almond Pudding with Birds Spit Soup

Ingredients:
•8 grams (a piece) of dry Benevolence Nest Birds Spit Soup.
•Almond extract.
•2 packs of pudding powder.
•560 ml of boiled water.
•340 ml of evaporated milk.
•Fruit cocktail (from a can).
Method:
•Pre-soak dry Birds Spit Soup. See pre-soaking instructions.
•Drain the water using a strainer.
•Prepare rock sugar syrup. Put some rock sugar in a cooking pot and add 2 cups of hot water. Stir from time to time while simmering until the rock sugar melts completely. Generally, we recommend using 20 grams of rock sugar for every cup (250 ml) of water.
•Place the Birds Spit Soup in the bowl, then add rock sugar syrup.
•Steam for 30 minutes, then remove the water using a strainer.
•Put pudding powder into bowl first and fill in boiled water. Mix it.
•Put into 240ml evaporated milk, add 2 table spoons of almond extract.
•Stir gelatin with boiled water, and put the mixture into the pudding-water bowl. Add milk and cool-boiled water. Let it sit and cool.
•Put Benevolence Birds Spit Soup (pre-soaked and stewed) with rock sugar on top of the almond pudding.
•Add fruit cocktail to the almond pudding.
•Serve cold.

3. Sugar Free Strawberry Jello with Birds Spit Soup

Ingredients:
•8 grams (a piece) of dry Benevolence Nest Birds Spit Soup.
•Sugar Free Jello powder.
•4 pieces of strawberries.
•4 cups of water.
Method:
•Pre-soak dry Birds Spit Soup. See pre-soaking instructions.
•Drain the water using a strainer.
•Prepare rock sugar syrup. Put some rock sugar in a cooking pot and add 2 cups of hot water. Stir from time to time while simmering until the rock sugar melts completely. Generally, we recommend using 20 grams of rock sugar for every cup (250 ml) of water.
•Steam for 30 minutes, then remove the water using a strainer.
•Boil 4 cups of water. Remove from heat, then pour in the Jello powder. Stir until the powder completely dissolves.
•Put the mixture into moulds. Refrigerate until it set (3-4 hours).
•Put Benevolence Birds Spit Soup (pre-soaked and stewed) with rock sugar on top of the Jello.
•Add slices strawberries.
•Serve cold.

5 ways to cook Birds Spit Soup

One of the ingredients in Birds Spit Soup is nests that are actually made out of bird saliva, which has dried and hardened.

1. Hawaiian Papaya with Birds Spit Soup

5 ways to cook Birds Spit Soup

Ingredients:
•8 grams (a piece) of dry Benevolence Nest Birds Spit Soup.
•20 grams of rock sugar.
•1 cup of water.
•1 ripe Hawaiian papaya.
•1 slice of fresh lime.
Method:
•Pre-soak dry Birds Spit Soup. See pre-soaking instructions.
•Drain the water using a strainer.
•Prepare rock sugar syrup. Put some rock sugar in a cooking pot and add 1 cup of hot water. Stir from time to time while simmering until the rock sugar melts completely. Generally, we recommend using 20 grams of rock sugar for every cup (250 ml) of water.
•Place the Birds Spit Soup in the bowl, then add rock sugar syrup.
•Steam for 30 minutes, then remove the water using a strainer.
•Slice Hawaiian papaya in half.
•Add lime juice to the papaya to taste.
•Put Benevolence Birds Spit Soup (pre-soaked and stewed) with rock sugar on top of the papaya.
•Serve cold.

2. Benevolence Birds Spit Soup with Braised Ham

Ingredients:
•4 grams (half a piece) of dry Benevolence Birds Spit Soup.
•200ml Chinese ham stock (or chicken stock).
•3 Little bok choy.
•Salt.
•Light soy sauce.
•Cornstarch.
Method:
•Pre-soak dry Birds Spit Soup. See pre-soaking instructions.
•Remove from water and steam for 30 minutes.
•Transfer into a soup bowl, arrange bok choy on top and pour over the stock.
•Season with some salt and light soy sauce, thicken with cornstarch mixture.
•Serve hot.

3. Birds Spit Soup in Braised Chicken with Ginseng

Ingredients:
•8 grams (a piece) of dry Benevolence Nest Birds Spit Soup.
•Chicken breast.
•Chicken bones for soup stock.
•2 sprigs of green onion.
•2 slices of fresh ginger root.
•2-4 slices of Red Korean Ginseng.
Method:
•Pre-soak dry Birds Spit Soup. See pre-soaking instructions.
•Drain the water using a strainer.
•Place chicken bones, the breast and ginseng in 6 cups of water. Add the green onions. Bring to boil and then simmer for 45 minutes. Discard the bones and the green onion. Salt to taste.
•Add Benevolence Birds Spit Soup (pre-soaked and stewed) in the bowl.
•Serve hot.

4. Birds Spit Soup Egg Tart

Ingredients:
•4 grams (half a piece) of dry Benevolence Nest Birds Spit Soup.
•240 grams of flour.
•1/4 tea spoon of baking powder.
•120 grams of butter.
•2-3 table spoon of cold water.
For the Filling:
•1 1/2 measuring cups of water.
•6 eggs.
•1/4 measuring cup of evaporated milk.
Seasoning:
•1/8 tsp salt.
•150g sugar.
•1/2 tsp vanilla essence (extract).
Method:
•Pre-soak and stew the dry Birds Spit Soup. See instructions.
•Short crust pastry: Sift flour, salt and baking powder together. Add in butter and 2-3 tbsp cold water; rub into dough.
•Fillings: Pour water and sugar into saucepan; boil over low heat until sugar melts. Whisk eggs; pour in bowl which contains evaporated milk and vanilla essence. Slowly pour the water with sugar into whisked egg mixture; stir well and filter out residues. Let cool.
•Roll dough into thin sheet with rolling pin. Cut tart crusts out from dough with round cookie-shaped cutter; press well into tart molds. Pour some Birds Spit Soup into each tart.
•Pour egg mixture in to fill around 70% to 80% of the tarts. Bake at 200 degree Celsius for 7 minutes.
•Serve.

5. Birds Spit Soup with Rock Sugar

Ingredients:
•8 grams (a piece) of dry Benevolence Nest Birds Spit Soup.
•40 grams of rock sugar.
•2 cups of water.
Method:
•Pre-soak dry Birds Spit Soup. See pre-soaking instructions.
•Drain the water using a strainer.
•Prepare rock sugar syrup. Put some rock sugar in a cooking pot and add 2 cups of hot water. Stir from time to time while simmering until the rock sugar melts completely. Generally, we recommend using 20 grams of rock sugar for every cup (250 ml) of water.
•Place the Birds Spit Soup in the bowl, then add rock sugar syrup.
•Steam for 30 minutes.
•Serve hot or cold.

Birds Spit Soup House

Birds Spit Soup houses are the places where breeding and nesting of swiftlet birds is encouraged. They are specially designed houses, which is designed such that it can accommodate maximum birds. The birds are given special conditions to live and breed comfortably in the nests that they make using their saliva. The saliva solidifies once it is exposed to air. Birds Spit Soup house’s environment and farm are developed to keep the birds attracted to the farm. Love potions are also used on the planks of wood in the Birds Spit Soup house, which appeals to birds.

The Birds Spit Soup has great culinary value in Asian culture, especially in China. Manufacturers from Malaysia, Indonesia and many other countries manufacture and supply Birds Spit Soups to China. As such, It has become a lucartive business opportunity to many Asian countries to exporting Birds Spit Soup to China.
The Birds Spit Soups have to be handled very delicately in the Birds Spit Soup houses. In the view of commercial value of their nests, Birds Spit Soup does not forget that they are also little creations of Nature. The birds are allowed to breed in their natural habitats. Manual cleaning of Birds Spit Soups is performed by skilled workers. The manual cleaning of Birds Spit Soups is an elaborate process, but this does not cease Birds Spit Soup from performing the operations with honesty.
Our workers collect the Birds Spit Soups from the caves or farmhouses and bring them to the warehouse for further processing. According to the rules of Department of Standards Malaysia, we wash the Birds Spit Soups with distilled water. Specialized tools are then used to clean every little corner of the nests from grass, feathers, and foreign bodies. At last, forceps are used to clean the left over outside elements. We do not use any chemicals and bleaches during the cleaning process.

About Birds Spit Soup

Birds Spit Soup is one among the major traditional food supplements in China. The tradition of consumption of Birds Spit Soup in China can be traced back to centuries when it was considered as a royal tribute. Birds Spit Soup of swiftlet bird is typically consumed in many other countries as well. The strands of swiftlet’s saliva make up a beautiful combination of nutrients, which westerners consider as “EDIBLE BIRDS SPIT SOUP”.
South East Asia is mainly concentrated in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, and Burma. Among these countries, Malaysia is the best producer of Birds Spit Soup. People who are fond of eating Birds Spit Soup regard quality as the top priority.
Birds Spit Soup supplies Birds Spit Soups that are rich in crucial nutrients. This unique production by the little golden swallow brings about brilliant health effects for people who consume Birds Spit Soup in small quantities over a long time. Many categories of people like beauty conscious people, pregnant women, health conscious people, elderly people, and children have benefitted from Birds Spit Soups.

Benefits of Birds Spit Soup

– Birds Spit Soup nurtures the lungs, prevents cough by dissolving phlegm, improves skin tone, and provides many other benefits.
– As a beauty-enhancing product, Birds Spit Soup has been used since many centuries in China.
– Birds Spit Soup has also been proven to cure weaknesses of the body and boost immune system.
– The water-soluble proteins of Birds Spit Soup stimulate growth of cells, enhance metabolism, and inhibits gastric acids.

Edible Birds Spit Soup Benefits

Birds Spit Soup of swiftlets is one among the major food supplements of a Chinese diet. It is a precious food product, which is eaten with great love.

Among the tremendous benefits of Birds Spit Soups, let us look at a few of them:

– Lungs get nourishment from Birds Spit Soups and hence, are relieved of many ailments that are caused due to contaminated foods and alcohol.
– The nest also dissolves phlegm and prevents cough, providing a clearing and nourishing effect.
– It is a proven effective medicine for treating and regulating weaknesses. Patients who are recovering from serious ailments can receive tremendous benefits from Birds Spit Soup because it boosts immunity.
– Birds Spit Soups contain rich collagen water-soluble protein that stimulates cell growth in the immune system and hence increases metabolism.
– It inhibits gastric acids and promotes circulation of blood in the body.
– It strengthens the heart and enhances appetite, which is again beneficial for recuperating patients.
If the Birds Spit Soup is consumed by pregnant women, it helps to stabilize pre-natal and post-natal stages and nurtures the fetus.
– Along with proven health benefits, Birds Spit Soup nutrition is also proven to maintain skin tone because of its constituents such as mucosaccharides.
– Birds Spit Soup contains anti-oxidants, which have detoxifying effects on the body.
– The epidermal growth factor of Birds Spit Soups stimulates reproduction and regeneration of cells.
– It is even helpful in curing lung cancer.
– The Birds Spit Soup has a sweet and mild taste, which has neither too hot nor too cold effects on the body.
– The Birds Spit Soups are proven to nourish the lungs, kidneys, and stomach.
– They are also helpful in aiding better circulation of oxygen in the body.
– Even if you consume the nests in large quantities, you will not see any side effects on your body.

Edible Birds Spit Soup Benefits

Birds Spit Soup Effects

The nests of Swiftlet bird have a lot of positive effects on our body. The health benefits of this unique creation by the little bird are tremendous:
1. Birds Spit Soup nourishes the lungs and prevents cough in the body. It also reduces pathologic changes that occur because of the ailments in lungs. Such ailments include blood in the phlegm, asthama, coughing out blood, sweating, bronchitis and low flushing.
2. Birds Spit Soup nourishes the kidneys, warms up the stomach and stops vomiting. It also treats upset stomach, retching, and borborygmus.
3. Birds Spit Soup contains various amino acids, which improve wisdom in children as well as infants. The amino acids also enhance physique and thinking ability during the stages of growth. It gives a rosy complexion to the kids and prevents the growth of pimples forever.
4. If the Birds Spit Soup is consumed by pregnant women, it helps stabilize pre-natal and post-natal stages and nourishes the fetus.
5. Birds Spit Soup is a natural food that increases production of saliva. The amino acids contained in it possess inhibitive and resistive effects for cancer of the esophagus, pharynx, liver, and intestines.
6. Birds Spit Soup helps endure the complications of radiotherapy and chemotherapy like dryness in throat, constipation, sore throat, and nausea.
7. Birds Spit Soup nourishes the skin; making it soft, supple, lustrous and elastic. It can be consumed by elder people to enhance their beauty. It also reduces wrinkles and has rejuvenating effects on skin.
8. Birds Spit Soup contains anti-oxidants, which have detoxifying effects on the body. Consuming Birds Spit Soup over a long period slows down the process of ageing.
9. Birds Spit Soup relieves from fatigue of work or studies and also enhances memory.
10. It also consists of elements that improve cardiac operations and reduce pressure on heart.
11. It is also very effective in the treatment f cirrhosis and Hepatitis-B.

How to choose quality Birds Spit Soup

The Birds Spit Soup should appear clean, without the presence of visible hairs and particles. The method and facility in which the Birds Spit Soup was cleaned is important as well.

Spotting the Real deal

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Birds Spit Soup is commonly consumed as a beauty food and has been valued for having beneficial health properties such as boosting the immune system and stimulating cell growth and tissue repair. Though many are aware of the benefits of Birds Spit Soup, and how highly priced they are, most are unaware of how to choose Birds Spit Soup and to differentiate quality ones from fakes.
The Birds Spit Soups displayed in stores or packaging have come a long way, namely undergoing a labour intensive cleaning process. Birds Spit Soup which are just taken down are very dirty and smelly. Nobody will think of consuming them at all if they see the condition.

The Different Grades

The highest grade of Birds Spit Soup is the purest as it is 90% edible upon harvesting and requires the least amount of processing and cleaning to have it consumption-ready. Birds Spit Soup of this grade have thicker strands, stronger aroma when cooked, and are often white, gold, or blood-red in colour.
Nests that are 50% and 10% edible upon harvesting fall respectively under the second and third grade – and their prices range accordingly. The nests of these grades bear a crispier consistency when cooked as the fibres are less compact.

Things to consider

Here are a few criteria to consider when choosing Birds Spit Soup:
Size and volume
The most popular shapes are boat or spoon shape. If swiftlets build their nests on the corner of two walls, the shape of the nest will become triangular. This change in shape has no effect on the nutritional value. Wider and thicker Birds Spit Soup cups are of high quality.
Colour and purity
White Birds Spit Soups are slightly ivory in colour. Yellow Birds Spit Soups are slightly 'beige’ or ‘golden’. Red (blood) Birds Spit Soups are red in colour due to the red cave wall’s mineral deposition into the nest. If the Birds Spit Soup is extremely white, it may have been bleached, which greatly reduces the nutrition content. Cleaned high-quality Birds Spit Soup should be in natural colour, without any soil, sand and moss.
Density and volume after soaking
If threads are thinner and closer, gaps are few, and the size is large and thicker, Birds Spit Soup cups will expand more after soaking. The different grades have different expansion ratios. The greater the expansion.

Here's a cheat list for you

In Summary, good Birds Spit Soup should possess one or more of these following traits:
• Fine and firm texture
• Thick and big size, boat-shaped
• Slight fishy smell
• Dry to the touch (little moisture content)
• Minimal amount of feathers
• Smaller edge size