Page 262 - The Guide To Sarawak

260 AGRICULTURE
Illipe Nuts
The illipe nut is the fruit of a magnificent rainforest tree, Shorea stenoptera, found
in mainland Southeast Asia and Borneo. The fallen nuts are collected and sun-dried until they can be separated from the shells. Sarawak’s indigenous peoples make
a “butter” from the illipe nuts which they use for medicinal and cosmetic purposes. Illipe butter is also ideal for the manufacture
of cosmetics and body care products and is widely used in sun protection creams, soaps, lipsticks, balms, foundations and conditioners.
Gaharu
Gaharu or agarwood is the resinous heartwood from Aquilaria trees native to Southeast Asia. The trees occasionally become infected by a mould and produce an aromatic resin in response. This rich,
A mature illipe nut, the fruit
of the Shorea stenoptera tree, showing the “wings” which enable dispersion of the seed.
dark resin is valued for its distinctive fragrance, and
is widely used for incense and perfumes, especially in the Middle East, Taiwan and Japan. It is a very valuable product, with the highest grade attaining RM20,000 per kg. Commercial production has recently been introduced to Sarawak, with the trees artificially inoculated with mould.
Birds Nests
Edible bird nests (also
see page 217), made
from the saliva of certain swiftlet species, are
highly prized as a luxury food item throughout the Chinese-speaking world, and have been exported from Sarawak since the
5th Century. White edible bird nests are found in caves along the coast and interior areas, whereas less valuable black bird nests are found in limestone caves throughout the state. Most caves are owned and sustainably managed by local tribal communities.
A thriving new industry
- swiftlet ranching - produces edible bird nests in purpose-built buildings designed to attract swiftlets, and is eventually expected to out-produce traditional cave gathering methods. Sarawak is the main producer of edible bird nests in Malaysia
with ranches scattered throughout the State.
Prepared bird nests ready for sale. The highest quality white nests, such as these, can fetch over RM7,000 per kg.
An edible-nest swiftlet (Aerodramus fuciphagus) nesting on a cave wall. The nest is formed entirely from solidified saliva and usually contains two white, oval eggs.