Cho’s old FAA recipe vs 6 or more months recipe
The answer
From the KNF library
The library holds two Cho texts, and they give different timelines. One says liquid forms in two or three days, and "when left as it is for a week or ten days, the acid is completed" (Cho, Theory, p. 81). The other says fish waste starts to liquefy in 3 to 4 days, then adds that "At least 6 months are needed to get well-fermented FAA" (Cho, Recipe, p. 50).
Liquid and finished are two different points. Drake says use it as soon as it is liquid, but four months, six months, or a year old is even better (Office Hours Ep. 110, 19:51). The Pure KNF Manual gives 6 to 36 months of fermenting, drawing off liquid as needed (Pure KNF Manual, p. 46). Cho's Solutions notes say to ferment 3 months, and that it will keep digesting for 3 years (Cho's Solutions, p. 13). Drake has a 15-year-old batch that is sweeter and finer with age (Office Hours Ep. 146, 56:25).
The library does not say why the two Cho texts differ.
Sources
- 19:51 Office Hours Ep. 110 (Jan 2024) — Jadam Pear & Grape Orchards, IMO Grading, Lime Sulfur · “Use it as soon as it's liquid, but four months, six months, or a year old is even better.”
- 56:25 Office Hours Ep. 146 (Oct 2024) — Jadam Herbal Solution Recipe, Sulfur Foot Soak, KNF Input Costs · “Drake has a 15-year-old batch and says it gets sweeter and finer with age.”
- p. 50 Cho, Recipe · “In 3 to 4 days, the fish waste starts becoming liquidized through the osmotic pressure generated by the brown sugar”
- p. 46 Pure KNF Manual · “Ferment for 6-36 months drawing off liquid as needed.”
- p. 13 Cho's Solutions · “Will continue to digest for 3 years”
- p. 81 Cho, Theory · “when left as it is for a week or ten days, the acid is completed”
