Shipping and Handling
1Shipping and Handling Cost
Standard shipping and handling charges are flat rate for bottled bird’s nest.
Express shipping via Australia Post Express Post is flat rate for dry bird’s nest.
The domestic flat rate shipping price is currently $10 (formerly $15).
If an order contains both dry bird’s nest and bottled bird’s nest, it may be shipped as two separate packages at our discretion.
Free shipping is obtained with purchases over $100.
2Delivery Time
Orders will be processed one to two business day after payment is confirmed.
Estimated Standard Delivery Dates from Shipment:
NSW/ACT/QLD/VIC 2-3 business days
Others 4-5 business days
Estimated Express Delivery Dates from Shipment:
Next business day delivery to all Australian capital cities (except WA*, NT).
*For addresses in Perth, next day delivery applies to Perth CBD only.
3Shipping Rules and Restrictions
Orders are processed and delivered on working days only (Monday through Friday, excluding public holidays).
The following benefits are included with each delivery from HealthyNest Australia (via AusPost): Signature recorded on delivery which ensures surety of delivery, the ability to check the delivery status via the Internet and comprehensive customer support.
All orders require a signature upon delivery. If you are not there to sign for your order, Australia Post will leave details for pickup arrangements.
Ampress Australia ships all orders from Sydney via Australia Post. Delivery times are based on location. Delivery areas further away from Sydney, and rural addresses, will result in longer delivery times.
4International Shipping
Currently, we offer international shipping to New Zealand for our bottled bird’s nest products only. The shipping cost will be updated upon address input at checkout.
Our bottled products are fully compliant with NZ Ministry for Primary Industries import regulations.
Please be aware that NZ Customs may charge GST and other import charges when the value of any individual consignment is over NZD$400.
Estimated International Delivery Dates from Shipment:
New Zealand 5-7 business days
Selecting the Bird's Nest
1Is this an official import?
Ampress Bird's Nest products are imported through the official customs process and approved by AQIS/DAFF after undergoing strict quality control checks. The import permit number is clearly marked on our packaging. Ampress warns consumers against the purchase of illegal grey market bird’s nest which do not undergo these official processes. These products frequently lack shelf stability, leading to steady deterioration and mould growth.
2Is it cave nest or house nest?
Cave nests are swiftlet’s nests found on the steep walls of coastal caves. Cave nests are rich in minerals and have a solid texture. However, they have poor water retention and are of unstable quality and most have a chewy texture and lack of aroma. Notwithstanding, there are small quantities of high quality cave nests with strong water retention which, after cooking, have a mild fragrance and a smooth, medium texture.
House nests are swiftlet’s nests that are collected under the eaves of houses. House nests are a rich source of proteins and amino acids, of a softer texture, and have strong water retention. House nests are often large whole nests, with soft texture, less hair, and (If white nest) of a rice-white, semi-transparent colour. After cooking, those house nests that develop a gentle fragrance and softer texture and do not dissolve are categorised as top grade products.
House nests are swiftlet’s nests that are collected under the eaves of houses. House nests are a rich source of proteins and amino acids, of a softer texture, and have strong water retention. House nests are often large whole nests, with soft texture, less hair, and (If white nest) of a rice-white, semi-transparent colour. After cooking, those house nests that develop a gentle fragrance and softer texture and do not dissolve are categorised as top grade products.
3What’s the difference between red nest and white nest?
Red nests do not result from the regurgitation of blood from the swiftlet, but instead result from the diet of the swiftlet. Red nests are rich in minerals and therefore post-natal women and post-surgery patients should consume more red nest. Regardless of whether they are from the cave or the house, red nests are firm, of chewy texture, poor in water retention, and weak in aroma.
In contrast, white nests normally have a stronger aroma and softer texture, while also possessing higher protein, sugars, and amino acids. Accordingly, white nests are more suitable for daily/normal consumption.
In contrast, white nests normally have a stronger aroma and softer texture, while also possessing higher protein, sugars, and amino acids. Accordingly, white nests are more suitable for daily/normal consumption.
All about Bird's Nest
1Introduction to Bird's Nest
Bird's Nest refers to the saliva produced by the swiftlet while building the nest. The saliva acts as glue and is pasted to form a thin, flaky wall in the nest. When saliva meets with air, it hardens and a white bird's nest cup is formed. The whole process takes around 45 to 60 days.
The Chinese character for “Bird's Nest” is well recognised and the benefits of consuming Bird's Nest have been known by Chinese for centuries.
The Chinese character for “Bird's Nest” is well recognised and the benefits of consuming Bird's Nest have been known by Chinese for centuries.
2Products
Bird's Nest can be classified as a cave nest, house nest or grass nest. In terms of colour, it can also be classified as red nest, golden nest or white nest. The red and golden colours of the bird's nest are formed due to the natural environment and the limestone rock.
3Classification
Cave Nest:
This is the wild bird's nest and mainly comes from the caves of Southwest Thailand and Java Island in Indonesia. Cave nests are generally found with tiny feathers and a firm texture and their nutrient value is comparatively higher than house nests.
House Nest:
The swiftlet builds the nest inside a house known as a ‘swiftlet house’. It is believed to be a sign of good fortune when a swiftlet builds a nest inside the house. House nests are generally referred to as white bird's nests. They contain less feathers than cave nests. Their texture is especially tender and soft after they are cooked.
This is the wild bird's nest and mainly comes from the caves of Southwest Thailand and Java Island in Indonesia. Cave nests are generally found with tiny feathers and a firm texture and their nutrient value is comparatively higher than house nests.
House Nest:
The swiftlet builds the nest inside a house known as a ‘swiftlet house’. It is believed to be a sign of good fortune when a swiftlet builds a nest inside the house. House nests are generally referred to as white bird's nests. They contain less feathers than cave nests. Their texture is especially tender and soft after they are cooked.
4Type of Cave Bird's Nest
White Nest:
White nests are the most common bird's nest found in the market. Bird's nest is the hardened saliva of swiftlets, containing elements which can stimulate tissue and cell growth. They are suitable for all ages in all seasons. Most of the bird's nests found in the cave are from Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam.
Golden Nest:
Golden nests are more expensive than white nests and can only be found in selected caves. The colour of the nest is due to the natural environment and composition of the limestone rock. They contain more minerals and are rich in proteins. They are best suited to pregnant women and middle-aged adults.
Red Nest:
Red nests are limited in availability and highly valuable. Swiftlets produce the nest at selected caves. The colour of the nest is formed due to the natural environment and composition of the limestone rock. Red nests have a higher content of iron and are rich in minerals and proteins. They help to replenish blood and calcium. They are best suited to recovering patients and the elderly.
White nests are the most common bird's nest found in the market. Bird's nest is the hardened saliva of swiftlets, containing elements which can stimulate tissue and cell growth. They are suitable for all ages in all seasons. Most of the bird's nests found in the cave are from Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam.
Golden Nest:
Golden nests are more expensive than white nests and can only be found in selected caves. The colour of the nest is due to the natural environment and composition of the limestone rock. They contain more minerals and are rich in proteins. They are best suited to pregnant women and middle-aged adults.
Red Nest:
Red nests are limited in availability and highly valuable. Swiftlets produce the nest at selected caves. The colour of the nest is formed due to the natural environment and composition of the limestone rock. Red nests have a higher content of iron and are rich in minerals and proteins. They help to replenish blood and calcium. They are best suited to recovering patients and the elderly.
5Origin of Bird's Nest
Nowadays, around 70-80% of bird's nests come from Indonesia, followed by Malaysia and Thailand. House nests are the most common variety in Indonesia. Vietnam also supplies bird's nests. However, the average price of bird's nest from Vietnam tends to be higher than bird’s nest from other countries, due to its higher quality and more limited supply.
6Medical Values
Enrich Vital Energy:
According to Chinese Medicine, natural bird's nests enrich vital energy and fluid in the human body and help to relieve cough and phlegm. They are beneficial to the human body because they are rich in minerals such as calcium, potassium and phosphorus.
Appetitive:
Bird's nests accelerate metabolism and promote skin growth. They are a good appetiser and health supplement for people, especially the elderly and children.
Youthful Complexion: Bird's nests are rich in glycoprotein and various minerals, which help promote metabolism and skin growth. These unique elements are a perfect remedy to nourish skin and maintain a healthy glow and youthful complexion.
Indispensable Supplement:
Bird's nest is a valuable natural supplement which is easily absorbed by the human body. Because of its neutral properties, it is an indispensable supplement for all ages.
Nutrients:
The nutritional value of bird’s nest is well established. Modern scientific research has indicated that bird’s nests contain around 49.9% glycoprotein. This protein promotes tissue and cell growth reproduction, strengthens body health and accelerates recovery from illness. Bird’s nest is also rich in amino acids and minerals such as calcium, phosphorus and potassium.
According to Chinese Medicine, natural bird's nests enrich vital energy and fluid in the human body and help to relieve cough and phlegm. They are beneficial to the human body because they are rich in minerals such as calcium, potassium and phosphorus.
Appetitive:
Bird's nests accelerate metabolism and promote skin growth. They are a good appetiser and health supplement for people, especially the elderly and children.
Youthful Complexion: Bird's nests are rich in glycoprotein and various minerals, which help promote metabolism and skin growth. These unique elements are a perfect remedy to nourish skin and maintain a healthy glow and youthful complexion.
Indispensable Supplement:
Bird's nest is a valuable natural supplement which is easily absorbed by the human body. Because of its neutral properties, it is an indispensable supplement for all ages.
Nutrients:
The nutritional value of bird’s nest is well established. Modern scientific research has indicated that bird’s nests contain around 49.9% glycoprotein. This protein promotes tissue and cell growth reproduction, strengthens body health and accelerates recovery from illness. Bird’s nest is also rich in amino acids and minerals such as calcium, phosphorus and potassium.
7How to choose a good quality Bird's Nest
There are 4 steps in choosing a good quality and genuine bird's nest.
Look:
Bird's nest should have a dense fibrous appearance and irregular thread-like texture. The distribution of the colour in red nests should be uneven. Be cautious if the colour of the red nest is evenly distributed.
Smell:
Bird's nest has its own unique aroma. It delivers a natural ‘egg-like’ taste after stewing. Something ‘fishy’ or ‘greasy’ is a fake bird’s nest.
Touch:
Soak and pull it. A fake bird’s nest is likely to be easily broken and of low elasticity.
Soak:
The natural environment causes the nest to be red or yellow. The colour remains unchanged, even after cooking.
Moisture content is another consideration when making a purchase. The price will be much lower if the bird’s nest has less moisture. If the bird’s nest is too dry, it will crack easily.
Look:
Bird's nest should have a dense fibrous appearance and irregular thread-like texture. The distribution of the colour in red nests should be uneven. Be cautious if the colour of the red nest is evenly distributed.
Smell:
Bird's nest has its own unique aroma. It delivers a natural ‘egg-like’ taste after stewing. Something ‘fishy’ or ‘greasy’ is a fake bird’s nest.
Touch:
Soak and pull it. A fake bird’s nest is likely to be easily broken and of low elasticity.
Soak:
The natural environment causes the nest to be red or yellow. The colour remains unchanged, even after cooking.
Moisture content is another consideration when making a purchase. The price will be much lower if the bird’s nest has less moisture. If the bird’s nest is too dry, it will crack easily.
8Preparation Method
•Soak the bird's nest in water for a period of time. Different types and varieties of bird's nest have different preparation times.
•The bird's nest will expand after soaking. Use pincers to extract impurities or feathers and then place the bird’s nest in a sifter for cleaning.
•The bird's nest will expand after soaking. Use pincers to extract impurities or feathers and then place the bird’s nest in a sifter for cleaning.
9Cooking Method
•Place the cleaned and expanded bird's nest into a steaming pot, together with hot water. Do not fill the steaming pot with too much water, as the bird's nest will expand quickly during the stewing process. Overfilling the pot with water will result in spillage.
•Operation of the steaming pot at ‘low heat’ is recommended to retain the bird's nests nutrients.
•Operation of the steaming pot at ‘low heat’ is recommended to retain the bird's nests nutrients.
10Bottled Bird's Nest
Our bottled bird's nest is made from genuine superior quality swiflet’s nests, according to stringent hygienic standards and using traditional simmering methods. It is a natural delicacy for all ages. It can be served warm, cold or direct from the bottle. It must be refrigerated after opening and consumed within 24 hours after opening.
Our product Guarantee:
No Preservative
No Stabiliser
No Artificial Colouring
No Artificial Flavouring
Our product Guarantee:
No Preservative
No Stabiliser
No Artificial Colouring
No Artificial Flavouring
Glycoprotien
Edible Bird’s Nest also contains Glycoprotein which is believed to play a pivotal role in our biological systems. The diverse functions of Glycoprotein include enabling connectivity and communication between cells and up regulates tight junction membrane proteins.
Culinary Use
The most famous use of edible birds nest is bird's nest soup, a delicacy in Chinese cuisine. When dissolved in water, the birds' nests have a gelatinous texture used for soup or sweet soup [tàhng suay]. It is mostly referred to as 燕窝 [yàn wō] unless references are made to the savoury or sweet soup in Chinese cuisine.
Harvesting
The most heavily harvested nests are from the edible-nest swiftlet or white-nest swiftlet (Aerodramus fuciphagus) and the black-nest swiftlet (Aerodramus maximus).The white nests and the red nests are supposedly rich in nutrients, which are traditionally believed to provide health benefits.