THE INGREDIENTS " THE EXPENSIVE ITEM SEASON ONE"

Swiftnest (bird nest)

   Edible bird’s nests are among the most expensive animal products consumed by humans. The material is also used in Traditional Chinese Medicine and in Traditional Vietnamese Medicine.

   The nests are made by a relatively small number of species of swift, namely cave swifts, that have a unique chemical texture to the saliva they use to make their nests. 

   The soup and a mostly clear gelatin served in small jars is now very popular throughout Asia, perhaps because it has the reputation of being an aphrodisiac or having traditional health enhancing qualities. 

   Based on recent research, it appears that this claim of health benefits is not a myth but based on real fact. 

   According to a recent medical research reported by Hong Kong Chinese University, the cell division enzyme and hormone of bird’s nest can promote reproduction and regeneration of human cells. 

   It also helps promote one’s immune system and enhances body metabolism. 

NUTRITION

   Edible bird's nest contains mainly amino acids, carbohydrates and mineral salts. The major ingredients of edible bird's nest are glycoproteins. 

   Amongst the carbohydrates in edible bird's nest, sialic acid (9%) is the major one. It was found that exogenous source of sialic acid may contribute to neurological and intellectual advantages in infants. 

   However, the nutritional and biological mechanisms of sialic acid in human body are still under investigation. The other major carbohydrates include 7.2% galactosamine, 5.3% glucosamine, 16.9% galactose and 0.7% fucose.

BENEFIT

• production of antibodies for a strong and healthy immune system. It is well known for its antiviral properties and helps prevent outbreaks of herpes and cold sores.
• helps prevent the accumulation of fat in the liver to ensure normal liver function, which is essential for the elimination of toxins from the body.
• improve memory and concentration. It may also help you feel happier, less hungry and more alert.
• helps keep connective tissues and muscles throughout the body strong and elastic, including the heart, where it is found in significant amounts.
• helping  balanced levels of nitrogen and glucose in the body.
• help reduce body fat and speed up weight loss.
• keeps your mind sharp and is sometimes used to treat fatigue and depression.
• helps maintain a healthy, youthful appearance by encouraging collagen production and skin elasticity.
• used in the treatment of childhood behavioral disorders, epilepsy, mental retardation, muscular dystrophy, ulcers, and hypoglycemic coma.
• helps regulate blood sugar levels by supplying the body with glucose needed for energy. 
• help prevent the onset of AIDS as it is crucial to the production of both red and white blood cells.
• repair muscles, keeps energy levels stable by helping to regulate blood sugar
• healing of bones, skin, and muscle tissue after traumatic injury, and is often recommended for those recovering from surgery.
• helps produce immunoglobulins and antibodies for a strong immune system.
• help treat liver and gallbladder disease

PREAPARE AND STORE

   Bird’s nest is pricey and needs to turn out to be put away very carefully to prevent creating because of wetness. Bird's nest offers the valuable salivary release associated with consume.Just like additional food items, it ought to be saved correctly. 

   The perfect technique is to keep the actual bird's nest within an air-tight storage space container then refrigeration. Store owners that inventory top quality nests have the opportunity to provide useful suggestions about appropriate storage space. 

   The actual bird's nest could be dried out at the air-conditioner if it's moist. will be able to shop bird’s home within thoroughly clean plastic material containers covered along with desiccating supplies as well as air-tight include inside a dried out location.

   It is best to keep this chilled whilst making certain it is dry skin from temps about 5 °C for extended storage space. With regard to keeping little amounts, close off this inside a plastic material tote and put this within the fridge to make sure it is high quality.

   Overall, bird’s nest needs to be shop within an ethereal, awesome as well as dried out location from direct sunlight.

COOKING USE

   The most popular use of swallow's nest is the swallow's nest, a delicacy in Chinese cuisine. When dissolved in water, the bird's nest has a gelatin texture used for soup or sweet soup [tàhng suay].

   It is mostly referred to as a reference is made to a savory or sweet soup in Chinese cuisine. According to the Qing Dynasty manual on gastronomy, Suiyuan shant, swiftlet nest is a delicate herb that should not be flavored or cooked with something that smells strong or oily.

   In addition to being used in soups, edible bird nest can be used as an herb in many other cuisines. They can be cooked with rice to produce swallow's nests or other nests, or they can be added to the egg tarts and other desserts. 

   Jelly bird nests can be made by placing the bird's nest in a ceramic container with a little water and sugar (or salt) and steamed twice. A ready-made bird's nest is available in jars as a commercial product.

VANILLA

   Vanilla is a flavoring derived from orchids of the genus Vanilla, primarily from the Mexican species, flat-leaved vanilla. 

   Vanilla comes from orchids of the genus Vanilla. While the major species of vanilla orchids are now grown around the world, they originally came from Mesoamerica, including parts of modern day Mexico and Guatemala.

   The vanilla pod is frequently referred to as the bean. The pods are picked when they are still not ripe, and then plunged into hot water and laid out to dry for anywhere from two to six months.

   Like saffron, vanilla is very labor intensive to produce. In order for vanilla orchids to produce pods (commonly referred to as beans), the plant must be pollinated by hummingbirds or a specific species of bees native to Central America. 

   Furthermore, the flowers are only open for a short period of time. In order to harvest vanilla commercially, therefore, the plants must be hand-pollinated.

NUTRITION

Total Per 100 g

Calories (kcal) 288

Total Fat 0.1 g

Sodium 9 mg

Potassium 148 mg

Carbohydrate 13 g

Sugar 13 g

Protein 0.1 g

Calcium 11 mg

iron 0.1 mg of 

Magnesium 12 mg

BENEFIT

• Promotes healthy digestion
• Cures respiratory conditions
• Aids in weight loss
• Soothes anxiety
• Prevent acne
• Strengthen the hair
• Reduce inflammation
• Cancer prevention

CHOOSE and STORE

   buy vanilla beans that are dark brown to black, and look soft and pliable. Then keep them well away from light and heat.

   Store vanilla beans in an airtight container in the coolest part of the kitchen – they’ll last like this for up to 18 months.

COOKING USE

   To use, split the bean using the tip of a sharp knife. Then scrape along the cut surface to collect the hundreds of scented seeds. 

   Use the seeds to infuse custards, creams, sauces, cakes, puddings, Add the bean to your caster sugar to make vanilla sugar for baking, Poach stone fruit or figs with vanilla beans, sugar and water. 

   Make a vanilla dacquiri using white rum, sugar syrup, fresh lime juice and vanilla seeds.

   Vanilla beans add a surprising flavour to savoury dishes. Scrape the seeds into a butter sauce and spoon over seafood or add to an apple puree and serve with crisp pork belly.

MOREL 

   morel enthusiasts cherish this particular mushroom for its exceptional taste and culinary applicability, less attention is given to its physiological effects on the body.  

   This is unfortunate, because, like many members of the fungal kingdom, morel mushrooms possess important nutritional and medicinal properties that can play key roles in optimizing the health of those who consume them.

   Morel mushrooms belong to the same species as the truffle, but their appearance is quite different. Morel mushrooms range from tan to dark brown, they’re elongated, 2 to 4 inches long and have a cone-shaped cap covered in a honeycomb texture. 

   Wild morels grow from April through June, depending on the region. You may find dried morel mushrooms in specialty stores throughout the year.

NUTRITION

Total Per 100 g

Calories (kcal) 30

Total Fat 0.6 g

Saturated fat 0.1 g

Polyunsaturated fats 0.4 g

Monounsaturated fats 0.1 g

Sodium 21 mg

Potassium 411 mg

Total Carbohydrate 5 g

2.8 g of food fiber

Sugar 0.6 g

Protein 3.1 g

Vitamin A 0 IU

Calcium 43 mg

Iron 12.2 mg

Vitamin D 206 IU

Vitamin B6 0.1 mg

Magnesium 19 mg

BENEFIT

• Vitamin D raising and maintaining 25(OH)D levels.
• Morel mushrooms contain approximately 206 IUs of vitamin D2 per 100 grams of fresh material.
• Protection against drug side effects.
• Antioxidants.
• Liver protection.
• Immune system activity.

PREPARE AND STORE

Short-Term Storage

   Morels' frilly caps cause them to deteriorate quicker than most mushroom varieties; more surface area means more area for moisture to collect.

   Never store morels in plastic bags or sealed storage containers, and avoid refrigeration if possible. Instead, store them where they can get as much air circulation as possible; an open brown-paper bag works well. Change the paper bag every day, and give the morels a quick toss every few hours to keep them uniformly exposed to air. Expect morels to stay fresh for 3 days when stored in this manner.

Freezing

   Morels last indefinitely in the freezer, but their quality starts diminishing after 10 months. To freeze morels, arrange them on a sheet pan in an even layer after cleaning them. 

   Space the morels at least 1/4 inch apart on all sides. Place the sheet pan in the freezer until the morels freeze through, about 1 hour. Then, pack the frozen morels in heavy-duty freezer bags or freezer-safe storage containers and mark with the date.

COOKING USE

   Trim off the woody part of the morel stems. Rinse the morels under cool running water and dry them with paper towels. Gently dislodge any stubborn dirt from the caps using the mushroom brush while rinsing them. 

   A little remaining moisture in the pockets of the cap is fine. To rehydrate dried morels, cover them with 2 to 3 inches of water in a bowl and let them stand for 4 hours. 

   Thaw frozen morels at room temperature before cooking them like usually cooking dry another mushroom.

SOURCE BY

http://www.ebay.com/gds/How-to-Store-Fresh-Morel-Mushrooms-/10000000205795360/g.html

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http://www.seriouseats.com/2015/05/how-to-clean-cook-prepare-morel-mushrooms.html

https://www.livescience.com/21534-edible-birds-nests-health.html

http://www.business-in-asia.com/industries/birdnest_for_health.html

https://naturalbrand.sg/top-5-major-health-benefits-of-edible-birds-nests/

https://www.reygroups.com/way-to-store-birds-nest

https://www.homenaturalcures.com/health-benefits-vanilla/

https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/03/25/vanilla-comes-from_n_5021060.html