Facts about Bird’s Spit Soup

How is Bird’s Spit Soup consumed?

First, Bird’s Spit Soup needs to be cleaned. According to one local expert, Hai Duong, each individual nest can contain tens of thousands of insects, all of which must be hand-plucked before distribution.
Bird’s Spit Soup has been consumed in China for at least 400 years, most often in the form of a soup. However, it can also be served as a gelatinous dessert or a drink. It is often mixed with sugar because of the nest’s bland taste profile. In Vietnam, it’s primarily consumed in the form of a drink or edible extract, rather than a soup or dessert.
Due to the fact that it has historically been treasured for its skin enhancing properties, prevention of wrinkles and other skin-promoting effects, it shouldn’t be surprising to discover that it has recently entered the cosmetics market, and can be found in various high-end beauty products, especially in countries like Korea and Japan. In fact, it has been suggested that this trend is nothing new. Geishas, stories say, would even go so far as to even smear the bird’s droppings on their faces in order to enhance their skin.

Facts about Bird’s Spit Soup

How much is it Vietnam?

Bird’s Spit Soup remains one of the most expensive gastronomic items on the planet. Depending on the grade of the nest and whether you prefer to purchase it in its raw form, as a drinkable liquid, or as a food, the price will vary greatly. The highest grade available is 90% pure, which is edible as soon as the nest is harvested. When purchased in its raw form, one kilogram of high-grade Bird’s Spit Soup can reach prices as high as US $5,000, but on average, one kilogram currently sells for around US $2,500.
However, you can buy it in small quantities which helps to make it feel more affordable. An average price for a two-month, 100-gram stash will cost roughly US $150-200 for a medium grade nest. If you drink it daily, that means you will be spending around US $3.00 per day. When you look at it that way, it’s shouldn’t feel like such a significant investment after all.

Beware of fakes

Yes, there are countless fakes being sold across the globe, and in many forms. As with any high-end consumer product, do you research and know what you’re buying. Get to know the supplier and find one that you trust. If it’s cheap, you can guarantee it’s either fake, or the amount of real Bird’s Spit Soup is so low that its health benefits are negligible.

Know the facts

Ecological Factors
The rise in international demand for the delicacy has inarguably harmed the swiftlet population which is now considered on its way to becoming endangered. Over-harvesting is occurring and there has been a rise in inorganic farming methods. This has resulted in a desire to regulate the market, but this has yet to gain traction.
When to consume it
Keep in mind that most experts believe that in order to reap the benefits of Bird’s Spit Soup it must be consumed over long periods of time. And it shouldn’t be consumed more than once a day as the body cannot absorb that many nutrients in such a short period of time. Many say it’s best to consume Bird’s Spit Soup in the morning on an empty stomach in order to maximize the body’s capabilities to take the nutrients onboard.
How much to consume
Experts recommend 2 grams of dried Bird’s Spit Soup or 60-80 milliliters of liquid per day.

Our conclusion

It appears that the nutritional value of Bird’s Spit Soup is unarguable but, just like taking other vitamins and supplements, this comes with a price tag. When you do the math, when taken in limited amounts, Bird’s Spit Soup should be within budget. Remember, experts say you do need to be consistent in taking it, so don’t expect any benefits to appear immediately. And of course, as with everything else in life, the only way to know for sure is to try it out for yourself.