What is edible bird’s nest and its supposed benefits? Plus how the popular myth of who introduced it to the Chinese is easily disproved

Edible bird’s nests are made by swiftlets and consist of interwoven strands of solidified saliva secreted by the birds

A popular story has Ming dynasty mariner Zheng He as the first person to bring edible bird’s nest to China, but evidence suggests he was beaten to it

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The main consumers of edible bird’s nest are the Chinese, including the diaspora, who prize the expensive by-product of avian spit for its nutritive properties. Photo: Getty Images

Having lived his whole life in the modern cities of Singapore and Hong Kong, Wee Kek Koon has an inexplicable fascination with the past.

Published: 8:15am, 9 Jul 2023Updated: 10:29am, 10 Jul 2023

I was recently privy to a conversation regarding edible bird’s nest; in particular, the investment potential of a soon-to-be listed company that farms, harvests and sells the stuff.

Edible bird’s nests are made by swiftlets. They consist of interwoven strands of solidified saliva secreted by the birds.

Southeast Asia is the main producer of bird’s nests. Indonesia is the biggest player, exporting a greater amount in tonnes than Malaysia, Thailand and the Philippines combined.

The main – and very likely only – consumers of bird’s nest are the Chinese, including the diaspora, who prize the expensive by-product of avian spit for its nutritive properties.

Freshly harvested edible bird’s nest. Photo: Getty Images

Anecdotal evidence attests to its efficacy in maintaining a youthful appearance if taken over a long period of time.