\nbeezhouse.com
\nWas sitting at home on Saturday night, enjoying a repeat of Iron Chef. Theme ingredient: Swallow\u2019s Nest. I hear you ask WHAT? Which is exactly what I did. Very quickly worked out it was a delicacy in Chinese cooking, and by god\u2026 EXPENSIVE. Only to be served when the Emperer shows up. (In case you\u2019re wondering, if the friends pop over, then you should serve sea cucumbers. Who knew?). Now, the chefs did their thing with US$24,000 worth of Swallow\u2019s Nest. Broke the budget for the show apparently. We got to the end of the show somewhat intrigued. What is Swallow\u2019s Nest?
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\nSwallows or swifts make nests by regurgitating gelatinous substances, or the saliva. The nests are called swallow\u2019s nest. It is also referred to as bird\u2019s nest. Swallow is the bird Collocalia fuciphaga (Edible-nest Swiftlet), belonging to the Apodidae family and many other birds of the same breed. Swallow\u2019s nest consumption has been known by the Chinese for thousands of years, and people especially those riches love it and consider it as one of the most precious tonic food they can have. As a food and a tonic, it is said to be highly nourishing, containing with elements which can stimulate cell and epidermal growth. If the swallow\u2019s nest is taken regularly, so the tradition says, the skin will be glowing and delicate. Swollow\u2019s nest is also good for the eyes. It is beneficial to the elderly and those who have just recovered from illness.<\/p>\n
Yes, that\u2019s right. It is bird spit. Scrapped from inside caves straight to a plate near you! Having eaten snails amongst other things, I can appreciate that some may find this a delicacy. (That said, I baulked at the goat on Friday night\u2026 didn\u2019t seem right). Indeed, it is known in foodie circles as the \u201cCaviar of the East\u201d. The thing that shocked me is the fact that Swallow\u2019s Nest is essentially flavourless. Upwards of US$2000 per\/kg for something that is tasteless and flavourless. Surely, they were having a lend. No! For over US$100 for a bowl of soup, my god, that would want to be the best soup you\u2019ve ever had.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
beezhouse.com Was sitting at home on Saturday night, enjoying a repeat of Iron Chef. Theme ingredient: Swallow\u2019s Nest. I hear you ask WHAT? Which is exactly what I did. Very quickly worked out it was a delicacy in Chinese cooking, and by god\u2026 EXPENSIVE. Only to be served when the Emperer shows up. (In case […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[413],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n