History of Bird's Nest

Tang Dynasty period

The history of bird's nest consumption can be traced back to China nearly 1,500 years ago during the Tang Dynasty period (A.D. 618-907). It was believed that the bird's nest had been brought back from 'Nan yang' (the southern countries), by sea-faring Chinese sailors and introduced to the courts of the China's Emperor as a supreme delicacy (food of the Emperor). During that era, only the family of the Emperor and his court officials has the privilege of consuming the highly priced bird’s nest. Sometime during the 15^th century, the well-known General Cheng Ho introduced the more exquisite white bird’s nest into the royal household. It is this particular species that we are cultivating in our bird’s nest ‘farm’. It was with the winding up of the dynasty (end of the Emperor rule), that the common people were introduced to bird's nest and the value and demand for bird's nest continued to climb due to its rarity and nutritional properties.

Consumer Countries

Nowadays, the primary target for this product is the Chinese community around the world, with Hong Kong, Mainland China and Taiwan the top consumers followed by   Singapore, U.S, Middle East countries and others. Bird’s Nest has been a prestigious and a status symbol kind of food for Chinese families for hundreds of years. It was considered an Imperial Cuisine in the past Chinese Dynasties.

 

Today, Bird’s Nest is still considered an esteemed cuisine by upper class Chinese families and appreciated for its health benefits, so much so that diners at places like Hong Kong's Fook Lam Moon restaurant are willing to pay US$58.00 per bowl for the highest quality bird’s nest soup. Although there is stable demand from the restaurant consumers, the peak season of demand comes during the Chinese New Year period. Gift giving of Bird’s Nest is especially popular during this period as it wishes the recipient good health and longevity of life as well as symbolizing the givers affluence and status in society.