For a gift to Chinese or Vietnamese grandparents, a package of American ginseng slices paired with a box of whole edible bird's nest is about as traditional and respectful as it gets, and you can buy both in one stop at Ten Lei Yen, our family shop in Westminster's Little Saigon, or online at tenleiyen.com with shipping across the US. Our American Ginseng Slices are $55 for a 4 oz (113 g) package, and whole bird's nest gift boxes start at $260, so you can put together something thoughtful at almost any budget.
Why are ginseng and bird's nest such classic gifts for elders?
In Chinese and Vietnamese families, the gifts you bring to grandparents tend to be prized dried foods rather than everyday things. They're rare, they take real work to produce, and they're meant to be prepared at home and shared, so handing one over says you took the time to choose something special. Ginseng and bird's nest have sat side by side in that tradition for generations, often alongside cordyceps, as gifts that stand for respect, gratitude and a wish for a long life together. That's what the gift means; it isn't a statement about what the food does.
American ginseng has its own place in that story. In Chinese it's called 花旗参, a name that refers to the American flag, because the root comes from North America. It's Panax quinquefolius, a different species from the Panax ginseng grown in Korea and China, and the slices we carry have a mild, slightly sweet flavor and a clean, natural taste. Plenty of families think of it as the everyday, approachable ginseng, the kind an elder can brew into a cup of tea or drop into a pot of soup without any ceremony.
We don't make medical claims about ginseng or bird's nest. If your grandparents have questions about their diet, their physician is the right person to ask. The gift here is about respect and tradition.
Where can you buy American ginseng and bird's nest together?
You can see both in person at Ten Lei Yen, 9741 Bolsa Ave, Suite 107, Westminster, CA 92683, where we've been a bird's nest and cordyceps specialist in Little Saigon since 2007. Coming in lets you look at the boxes before you choose, and you can call ahead at 714-418-9788 if you'd like to check on something first. If your grandparents live in another state, or you simply can't make it to Bolsa Avenue, the same products are on tenleiyen.com and we ship them within the US.
Our American Ginseng Slices, 113 g (4 oz) are made from mature roots that are dried and sliced, ready to use straight from the package, with no additives or preservatives, and they're a product of the USA. They're also listed in our ginseng collection.
How do you pick a grade and size for your budget?
Start with the ginseng, since it's the simplest part. A 4 oz package of slices at $55 is a complete small gift by itself, and it's a natural add-on next to a box of bird's nest.
For the bird's nest, the main thing to know is that whole nests are the traditional choice for a gift, while broken pieces are usually bought for cooking at home. All of the boxes below are whole nest, sourced from swiftlet houses in Indonesia and hand-cleaned. Our 5A (AAAAA) White in a 100 g box is $260 and holds 11 to 13 whole pieces with long, intact strands, which makes it a lovely first gift. Red Label Super Dried White is $280 for 100 g or $650 for 250 g, and it's the dependable, respectful choice for an ordinary family visit. Blue Label Supreme White, a step up again, is $320 for 100 g or $800 for 250 g, and it's the box families tend to save for a milestone birthday or a homecoming.
Put together, a package of ginseng slices with a 5A White 100 g box comes to $315, and the same ginseng next to a Red Label Super Dried White 250 g box comes to $705. If you're stepping up for a big occasion, Blue Label Supreme White 250 g with the ginseng is $855. Our bird's nest gift guide walks through the tiers in more detail if you're deciding between them.
Should you choose white, golden or red bird's nest for grandparents?
White is the classic, and it's what most families reach for when the gift is for elders. Golden and red nests come in the same Red Label and Blue Label grades, and some households like them because they're a little less common. If you know your grandparents already prepare one color at home, matching what they're used to is the safe choice.
How should you present the gift?
Keep both sealed, give them together at a family meal or a holiday visit, and offer them with both hands. A few words about what's inside helps too: the ginseng slices can be steeped in hot water or added to soup, and the bird's nest is soaked and then double-boiled, traditionally with rock sugar. We've written more about giving bird's nest to elders, including which occasions suit which tier and whether to bring one box or two, in our gift ideas for Vietnamese and Chinese elders.
Do you sell Korean ginseng too?
No. Ten Lei Yen carries American ginseng only, so the slices in our shop and online store are Panax quinquefolius, a product of the USA.
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