FAA
The answer
From the KNF library
The library does not say whether too much sugar can deprive the microbes of water.
It does give the ratio. Drake's sources say to combine between 30% and equal parts sugar to fish by weight. (KNF Demystified, p. 39) For a batch built in stages, add an equal weight of sugar each time you add more fish. (Office Hours Mar 2025, 24:15) Your 15 pounds of sugar on 7 pounds of fish is about twice the equal-weight ratio. (Office Hours Mar 2025, 24:15)
The sugar's job is to keep the batch stable. Drake says a fully sugared FAA keeps the lactobacillus dormant and safe to store. (Office Hours Ep. 19, 46:09) The recipe caps the fish with sugar, checks again in 3 days, and adds more only if it smells. (Cho's Solutions, p. 13) It says the batch will keep digesting for 3 years. (Cho's Solutions, p. 13)
- Smell the batch. Add sugar only if it smells. (Cho's Solutions, p. 13)
- If there is no smell and the fish heads are not floating, pour off the liquid and let the rest keep fermenting. (Office Hours Ep. 19, 41:46)
Sources
- 24:15 Office Hours (Mar 2025) — Vinegar Brix Ratios, FAA Staging, Slight Yellowing Phase · “add an equal weight of sugar on top every time you add more”
- 41:46 Office Hours Ep. 19 (Feb 2022) — Powdered Milk LAB, FAA Storage, and Bokashi Balls for Ponds · “if there's no smell and the fish heads aren't floating, pour off the liquid and let the rest keep fermenting”
- 46:09 Office Hours Ep. 19 (Feb 2022) — Powdered Milk LAB, FAA Storage, and Bokashi Balls for Ponds · “it's already supersaturated with sugar, which is what keeps the lactobacillus dormant and safe to store”
- p. 13 Cho's Solutions · “Check next 3 days, if smell, add more sugar”
- p. 39 KNF Demystified · “Combine between 30% ~ equal parts by weight of brown sugar and stir with a stick”
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