A bird’s nest would taste a bit twiggy and dry, don’t you think? Luckily the bird’s nest used to make a popular Chinese soup is made from a small bird in Southeast Asia who uses it’s saliva to make the nest.

The male swiflet has two glands under its tongue that produces saliva. The birds regurgitate the substance as fine strands, which harden and stick to the walls and ceilings of the caves they inhabit, forming their nests.

Even though you probably wouldn’t touch them with a stick, people pay big money for them - ranging from R4000 to R8000 for a few kilograms!

Like most of these bizarre foods, they are believed to be an aphrodisiac and have medicinal properties.

Source: www.weird-food.com

• Bird’s nest and shark fin soup: Have a look at the fine print on this menu…
• Explore the art of nest building
• Making your own bird’s nest from scratch
• Have a look at a few other Chinese delicacies