HOW TO IDENTIFY STEAMED BIRD’S NEST MADE FROM COUNTERFEIT INGREDIENTS

Steamed bird’s nest, with its delicious flavor and high nutritional value, is a popular dish among many people. However, the market also features steamed bird’s nest products made with counterfeit ingredients such as agar jelly, gum tragacanth, vermicelli strands, etc., which mimic long, attractive nest strands while reducing costs. To ensure you are consuming high-quality steamed bird’s nest and not being deceived, here are ways to identify and distinguish between authentic steamed bird’s nest and those made with counterfeit ingredients.

CHECK COLOR AND SHAPE

• Natural vs. Artificial Coloring: Steamed bird’s nest made from counterfeit ingredients often has darker colors to appear more visually appealing. Authentic 100% bird’s nest strands are typically milky white or slightly yellowish, partly depending on the ingredients cooked with the nest. Ingredients that can noticeably affect the color include saffron and goji berries, while common ingredients like rock sugar, lotus seeds, chia seeds, and red dates do not significantly change the nest’s color.
• Nest Strand Shape: For consumers who have used natural bird’s nest at home, the strand shape is familiar. When steamed, authentic nest strands are quite loose and fluffy. Most authentic nests sold commercially are not top-grade, so the strands may be short. If the strands are long, tightly bunched, and the price is low, they have likely been adulterated with additives to create the desired shape.

CHECK SMELL AND FLAVOR

• Natural Aroma: Steamed bird’s nest made with counterfeit ingredients may carry unusual odors due to flavorings and additives. Authentic steamed bird’s nest has a gentle, light aroma with a slightly natural fishy note.
• Natural Taste: If the flavor is overly sweet or shows sudden changes, this could be a sign of counterfeit ingredients.

CHECK TEXTURE

• Authentic bird’s nest, when steamed and eaten, has a slightly chewy, firm texture with some softness.
• Adulterated nests tend to be soft, lack chewiness, and have a less durable structure compared to real nests.

CONCLUSION

To avoid buying steamed bird’s nest made with counterfeit ingredients, consumers need to be informed and vigilant when selecting products. Carefully reading packaging information, purchasing from trusted sources, and checking characteristics such as color and strand shape will help you make smart choices while ensuring your health.