At CocosBotanica, we are dedicated to enhancing skin health and overall well-being. In our journey of research, we had the opportunity to learn more about how bird’s nest products enrich your health and why they are so popular in many Asian countries. In this article we bring you an exclusive interview with the founders of Pristine Farm, Mr. Stefanus Koh and Mr. Harry Mranata, who share their insights on the benefits of bird’s nest products and their journey in the industry. This compliments other write ups where we discuss how what you eat has an impact on your skin.
A Brief History of Bird’s Nest
Bird’s nest “EBN” (Edible Bird’s Nest), a prized delicacy in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), originated in China, where it was consumed by the elite and royalty for its reputed health benefits. The popularity of bird’s nest spread beyond China due to trade routes and cultural exchanges during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), when Chinese merchants and travellers introduced it to neighbouring regions. As trade flourished, bird’s nest became a coveted item in Southeast Asia, particularly in countries like Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand, where the swiftlets’ natural habitats were abundant. Over time, these countries began to harvest and produce bird’s nests locally, making them integral parts of their culinary and medicinal traditions. The high demand for bird’s nest in China and the increasing recognition of its health benefits across Asia led to the establishment of bird’s nest farms, ensuring a steady supply to meet the growing market in the region.
There are numerous studies on the effects of Bird’s Nest, with one great summary of many of these research papers published in the National Library of Medicine – Edible Bird’s Nest: The Functional Values of the Prized Animal-Based Bioproduct From Southeast Asia–A Review – PMC (nih.gov). Here are a few key points from the article before we jump into the interview with Mr. Stefanus Koh and Mr. Harry Mranata from Pristine Farm.
- “there is scientific evidence on EBN supplementation indicating that it could improve skin texture and alleviate the aging processes”
- “The main carbohydrates present in EBN is sialic acid. Sialic acid facilitates development of gangliosides structure in the brain”
- “EBN serves as a highly nutritious and health restorative food suitable for consumption by all age groups and genders”
- “Out of the twenty types of amino acids desired by human, eighteen types of amino acids are detected in EBN”
- “The bioactive compounds such as sialic acid and thymol derivative have given EBN the potential to inhibit the (influenza) virus”
These are just a few highlights. The founders of Pristine Farm explain more below!
The Genesis of Pristine Farm
Q: Can you tell us about the founding story of Pristine Farm?
Mr. Stefanus Koh: Pristine Farm Bird Nest was established a decade ago in Singapore. Our motivation was to provide high-quality bird’s nest products, focusing on the well-being of women and expectant mothers. We wanted to make bird’s nest consumption more accessible and beneficial to our community.
Q: What is the mission and vision of Pristine Farm?
Mr. Harry Mranata: Our mission is to bridge the gap between nature and consumers by offering a seamless farm-to-table experience. We prioritize health and convenience, aiming to improve the quality of life for our customers. Our holistic approach to wellness includes providing strong supplements for people leading hectic modern lives.
Ensuring Quality and Authenticity
Q: How do you ensure the quality and authenticity of your bird’s nest products?
Mr. Stefanus Koh: Our quality assurance process starts from the pristine bird habitats in Indonesia and ends with nutrient-rich products in Singapore. We meticulously uphold quality, efficiency, and affordability while maximizing health benefits. Our bird’s nests are scientifically proven to contain elevated levels of essential nutrients like sialic acid and glycoprotein.
Health Benefits of Bird’s Nest Products
Q: What are the primary health benefits of consuming bird’s nest products?
Mr. Harry Mranata: Bird’s nest is traditionally used in TCM and offers various benefits:
- Ladies: Enhances youthful skin, reduces wrinkles, and increases skin elasticity.
- Pregnant Women: Strengthens the immune system for both mother and baby, aids in speedy recovery post-birth, and helps relieve stretch marks.
- Older People: Eases chronic dry coughs, clears phlegm, relieves fatigue, repairs muscle tissues, and reduces joint pain.
- Children: Prevents cold and flu, improves immune system, and strengthens lungs and kidneys.
- Men: Boosts immune system.
Some of Pristine Farm Bird Nest Products
Q: Can you explain the nutritional profile of bird’s nest and how it supports overall health?
Mr. Stefanus Koh: Bird’s nests are rich in water-soluble proteins, carbohydrates, essential nutrients like calcium, iron, potassium, sodium, phosphorus, sialic acid, and amino acids. They also contain bioactive compounds such as glucosamine, fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and amino acids, which promote overall health.
Q: How does bird’s nest compare to other traditional health foods in terms of benefits?
Mr. Harry Mranata: Bird’s nest has antiviral properties, particularly against influenza. It moisturizes, whitens, and protects the skin from oxidation. It inhibits melanin production and improves memory. Bird’s nest consumption enhances cognitive performance, bone health, and overall body health, including faster recovery for pregnant mothers and healthier babies.
Unique Selling Points of Pristine Farm
Q: What sets Pristine Farm’s bird’s nest products apart from others in the market?
Mr. Stefanus Koh: Pristine Farm is the first bird’s nest company globally to feature the quantity of dry bird’s nest on all its listings and packaging. This transparency empowers customers to make informed decisions. Our farms are located in the pristine Indonesian jungle, and our processing factories adhere to strict food safety standards, ensuring a high-quality product.
Q: Can you describe the process of harvesting and preparing your bird’s nest products?
Mr. Harry Mranata: We harvest bird nests from our own farms, clean them monthly to reduce bacteria, and process them in certified factories in Indonesia. Our final processing in Singapore ensures the highest standards before the products reach our customers.
Q: What measures do you take to ensure the sustainability and ethical sourcing of your bird’s nest?
Mr. Stefanus Koh: We integrate quality control in all processes, from bird nest houses to processing facilities. Our commitment to sustainability ensures that we bring the best quality bird nest to our customers without compromising the environment.
Product Range and Customer Experience
Q: Could you share more about the different bird’s nest products you offer?
Mr. Harry Mranata: We offer a variety of bird nest products, including freshly cooked bird nest, bottled concentrated bird nest, bird nest drinks, and premium dry bird nest. Our products are competitively priced as we eliminate middlemen by harvesting directly from our own farms.
Q: How do you educate your customers about the benefits and uses of bird’s nest?
Mr. Stefanus Koh: We include health benefit cards with every order and actively share information on social media platforms. Our FAQ section on the website addresses common questions and concerns, ensuring our customers are well-informed.
Q: What kind of feedback have you received from your customers?
Mr. Harry Mranata: Our customers appreciate the freshness, thickness, and authenticity of our bird’s nest products. They also commend our packaging and delivery services, making our products perfect for gifting.
Future Plans
Q: What are your future plans for Pristine Farm?
Mr. Stefanus Koh: We are constantly researching and developing new products to add value to our customers. Our focus remains on innovation and maintaining the high quality of our bird’s nest products.
Q: What advice would you give to someone considering adding bird’s nest to their diet?
Mr. Harry Mranata: Consistency is key. Consuming a few spoons in the morning and evening regularly will provide more benefits than consuming a large quantity sporadically.
For more information about Pristine Farm’s bird’s nest products, visit their website at www.pristinefarm.sg or follow them on Instagram at @pristinefarm.sg.
CITATIONS:
Lee TH, Wani WA, Lee CH, Cheng KK, Shreaz S, Wong S, Hamdan N, Azmi NA. Edible Bird’s Nest: The Functional Values of the Prized Animal-Based Bioproduct From Southeast Asia-A Review. Front Pharmacol. 2021 Apr 19;12:626233. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2021.626233. PMID: 33953670; PMCID: PMC8089372.
