So I clicked on an ad...

[sammi]

...here on TFO that looked like some dried fruit. The ad didn't say anything, but it looked weird and I wanted to know what it was. Anyway, it brought me here:

http://www.naturalnest.com/component/option,com_frontpage/Itemid,1/lang,en/

Umm..are people really eating BIRD'S NESTS? This is what I've gathered from clicking around and reading the site, but I just wanted to confirm that I'm not thoroughly confused On a side note, I am filipino, and if anyone knows what balut is, then you know we eat some weird things...but bird's nest? Really? Just odd I think..

 

[Stephanie Logan]

I have read somewhere of birdsnest pudding, but I am not sure if that's just an expression or a literal interpretation!

I want to say that birdsnests are a Chinese delicacy (?)

 

[Yvonne G]

You've never heard, then, of Bird's Nest Soup sold at Chinese Restaurants? I'd guess its a certain kind of nest, and not one made of twigs and hair. Funny that this particular ad shows up right below your first post in this thread!

 

[Italianlnm]

It is a swollow's nest.

 

[dreadyA]

what kinda Filipino things do you eat?as far as "weird"?

 

[Kadaan]

Google 'balut' and you'll see what 'weird' is . It tastes pretty good, but the texture is a bit off.

"Bird's nest soup" is made from the nest of one type of bird that makes it out of it's own saliva (kind of like how bees make their hives). When you cook it in soup it breaks apart for flavor and you get some jelly-like clumps floating around:

 

[Italianlnm]

Isn't Balut, like an egg?

And Bird's nest soup and anything eaten with birdnests, is made from swollow nests.

 

[sammi]

Balut is an under developed duck egg. Depending on where you get your balut from [normally a streetside vendor] it will have some partially formed organs, and in some cases feathers...slluurrrrpp! My dad loves 'em and can eat a dozen at a time, but I can't even down them.

I don't think I'd enjoy any dish with "bird's nest" in it...Are they real nests that birds have lived in?

 

[Italianlnm]

I wouldn't be able to eat it.. No way jose.

And, Yep.. They have been made by birds.. but usually.. they are made on like bird farms (Not sure how to word that) Where they take care of the birds, the birds make nests, and before they have time to lay eggs they will take the nests.

 

[sammi]

Interesting. I have never heard of this!

You've never heard, then, of Bird's Nest Soup sold at Chinese Restaurants? I'd guess its a certain kind of nest, and not one made of twigs and hair. Funny that this particular ad shows up right below your first post in this thread!

You know, I kind of just always assumed they didn't really mean a soup with a literal birds nest in it.

So the nests are made out of bird saliva? Who knew they could produce so much saliva to create an entire nest!

 

[Tom]

All I can say is wow....... wow.

 

[Italianlnm]

Yes they are made with the bird's saliva, and when it is put in soup, or whatever it is being made with, the saliva will break apart/dissolve partially (into jell like stuff). That is where they flavors come from. I have never had it myself.. But I love oriental food, and Zac paid for me to take an oriental food class when we got married.

 

[dmmj]

I have heard of people eating partially developed duck eggs, but I did not know the name of it. I am guessing balut must be an aquired taste. as far as birds nest soup I have heard of it but i never knew it was made from real birds nest, always thought it was just a name, now I know of 2 things to avoid when travelling abroad.

 

[Italianlnm]

I'm with you DM.

 

[TortieGal]

All the birds nest I've seen have bird poop in them, Yuk!