Bird spit, thats right! Is a delicacies in Asia, especially in Vietnam, where it’s a growing industry.

The saliva from the Asian Swiflets help this species of  birds in creating their bird-nest.  In the Asian market, these bird nest can fetch for over $1000 american.

The nest are believed to have many health benefits.

“Known as the “caviar of the East,” edible nests sell for $1,000-$1,500 per kilogram wholesale and about $2,500 per kilogram retail, according to Le Danh Hoang, founder of Ho Chi Minh City-based NutriNest.

Indonesia produces about 70 percent of the world’s bird’s nest, followed by Malaysia with 20 percent, Tok said.

In Vietnam, demand for bird’s nest is spawning a cottage industry that has attracted investment from VinaCapital Group Ltd., the nation’s largest fund manager, and helping mint new millionaires. Provincial governments are also jumping in to set up bird’s nest production zones to spur jobs and exports.”

Source: Continue Reading @ Bloomberg News