Soups : Bird's Nest

Bird's nest soup is made using the nests of a tiny bird called the swiftlet found throughout southeast Asia. An expensive soup, reputed to be an aphrodisiac. The swiftlet makes its nest from strands of gummy saliva, which harden when exposed to air. The nests are harvested, cleaned and sold to restaurants where they are served simmered in chicken broth. Western restaurants often serve a less expensive version consisting of soup with noodles shaped to resemble a bird's nest.