Ep 10. Bird's Nest Soup, Rowing Oars

In season 15 episode 10 of How Do They Do It?, viewers are taken on a fascinating journey to discover how bird's nest soup and rowing oars are made.

The episode starts with a look at the process of creating bird's nest soup, a delicacy long cherished in Chinese cuisine for its perceived health benefits. However, it's not the kind of bird's nest you may expect - made from the saliva of cave-dwelling swiftlets. These nests are harvested from caves high in the mountains of Southeast Asia, using long bamboo poles to carefully reach the small crevices where the swiftlets build their nests. The harvested nests are then meticulously cleaned, sterilized, and processed into the delicate strands that make up the soup. The episode explores the intricate and highly protected supply chain of bird's nests, from the highly skilled harvesters, to the merchants who sell them in high-end shops, to the chefs who transform them into the delicious soup.

The episode then takes a turn to explore the art behind creating top-of-the-line rowing oars. We learn about the rigorous testing and experimentation that goes into finding the perfect balance and strength for each oar. Designs, materials and techniques are all tested to not only ensure that the oars can take the load of the boat but also offers gliding force to power through the water. We take a journey to the workshop where oars are created to learn about the detailed and intricate process from selecting the material, inlaying, and gluing the parts together to form a sturdy oar. Finally, the episode follows the final testing and approval process for the oars, where experts examine the balance of the oars by suspending them from a single point, to ensure the perfect performance of this important rowing accessory.

Overall, this episode of How Do They Do It? delivers a captivating and in-depth look at the fascinating and varied processes behind creating two important but vastly different products - one from nature, the other a testament to human ingenuity and craftmanship. Along the way, we learn much about the skills, tradition, and science that go into making these products and gain a new appreciation for the artistry and dedication involved.