Superior Chia Seeds and Birds Nest

With its abundance of omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants and protein, chia seeds are considered one of the most nutritious foods in the world. This superfood is believed to aid heart and digestive health, stabilise blood sugar and maintain stronger bones and teeth. High in fibre, gluten-free and trans fat-free, they are great for cleansing and detoxing. The neutral flavour makes it easy for us to incorporate them in food and drink recipes.

I was very pleased to meet Freddy Yap, CEO of Superior Foods, who had a personal story to tell. It was his own struggle with health that led to him taking chia seeds. His recovery and further research convinced him that chia seeds were highly beneficial not only for health, but beauty and weight loss. He started Superior to bring its benefits to the masses.

To Freddy, building a brand with a strong reputation and a business with integrity is paramount. He personally believes that by eating well, you can live well and by taking care of your body, mind and spirit, you can in turn, take care of others.



He invited us to partake in the chia seed challenge. A teaspoon twice a day for six weeks. Some people see dramatic results. I tried going on it but kept forgetting for a few days (the way I always forget medicine too), which kind of ruined the experiment. I should start again, taking it first thing in the morning and last thing at night.



But how is Superior different from other chia seeds in the market?

• Superior sources its chia seeds from the fertile highlands of Mexico and Peru. The company only selects non-genetically-modified chia seeds from organic sources. 
• Superior Chia is a mix of five different varieties to maximise its nutritional value. There are more than 30 varieties, beyond just black or white chia.  
• The seeds are micro-sliced. While others mill chia seeds with heat, which could destroy their nutrients, Superior uses a special micro-slicing technique to ensure better absorption while retaining the chia seeds’ nutritional properties.
• Superior uses smaller packaging to ensure better. Chia seeds can turn rancid if left for too long, so small and handy packets ($18 per 114g bag) allows 

Here are some sample ways you can use chia seeds in savoury dishes. Scatter a teaspoon of it onto grilled meats, stir-fries and even porridge (it's best not to cook the chia seeds as heat may destroy some of the nutrients). These dishes are done by YAN at National Gallery.



炭焼排骨配海蜇头
Charcoal Roasted BBQ Spare Rib & Jellyfish Head

奇亚籽蚧肉泡飯
Fragrant Rice Soup with Chia Seeds & Crab Meat

黑蒜露笋炒斑球
Sauteed Grouper Fillet with Black Garlic and Asparagus

Superior actually started with bird's nests.

Freddy noticed that so much of the food we eat is genetically modified or filled with additives and remains a firm believer that food with the right nutritional support can assist you in restoring health and rejuvenation.

When he was recuperating in Malaysia, he met with his cousin, an owner of a bird’s nest farm. He found that many bird’s nest brands were not fully transparent about their production processes. This motivated him to set up Superior Brand to offer premium bird’s nests that were not only free from chemicals but were also HACCP certified.

He uses swiftlet houses that are cleaned frequently to prevent contamination and birds forage for their own food and insects, ensuring each nest is created in the most natural state possible.



Each bird’s nest is painstakingly cleaned manually by hand, using only distilled water. They are inspected for quality before being dried in a dehumidifier. After being soaked in distilled water, the nests are carefully shaped, dried for a second time and treated with UV light for a last stage of sterilisation.

The final product is a natural, organic bird’s nest, free from any additives, chemicals or cleaning agents. Each nest receives a final quality check, ensuring its optimum colour, size, and shape - a fundamental criteria which contributes to its bite and springy texture after cooking.

Consumers can purchase two types of bird’s nest products conveniently via its e-shop – double boiled bird’s nest and dried bird’s nest.

The double boiled bird’s nest (2 bowls for S$158) is made by soaking dried bird’s nest in boiling water for an hour, and gently double-boiled for another hour before being naturally sweetened with rock sugar or honeycomb.

Customers can also choose their preferred level of sweetness when ordering online. Each order of double boiled bird’s nest is delivered to your doorstop in a porcelain vacuum flask that helps keep the tonic fresh, air tight and warm.

Superior dried bird’s nests ($960 for 200g) are prized for its larger, firmer and springier texture - a result of selecting bird’s nests from larger swiftlets after they have abandoned their nests. Best enjoyed in nourishing soups and boiled desserts, bird’s nest can be used more creatively in porridge and even as a filling in tarts.



冰花炖燕窝
Double-boiled Superior Bird’s Nest with Rock Sugar

“I personally believe that by eating well, you can live well and by taking care of your body you can in turn, take care of others. This is and always will be the core philosophy behind our brand. In addition to offering exceptional quality bird’s nest and chia seeds, we are excited to be launching even more wellness products that include a delicious range of honey soon.” Says Freddy Yap, CEO of Superior Brand.

You can visit http://finestfood.com.sg/shop/ to place orders for bird’s nest or chia seeds online. Delivery can be made within 48 hours and is free for all orders above $75.

Many thanks to Superior for the tasting