OHN Recipes 1/3 or 2/3 - confusing
OHN Recipes
(video minute 1:31, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cGXnGs4Dk3k)
2 recipes, but both are right
The one from Pastor Lee, that keeps 1/3 of the liquid and adds 2/3 is as follow:
The jar full of all the ingredients and alcohol keeps 15lt of liquid.
First extraction equal 10lt of liquid to be stored from dry ingredients, sugar and beer (or makgeolli), after the first extraction you add 10lt of shoju (leaving 5lt of the original material and liquid) seal the container with a plastic film (so the alcohol will not evaporate).
Stirr everyday and after (10-14 days) you take out 10 lt and add 10lt of shoju for another 4 times, (5lt - all the material and some liquid are always left).
5th time you take out all the liquid and store it.
The drawing in the video is also very clear.
I understood clearly it's 2/3 extracted each time.
My reasoning is this:
1/3 version
this "new" stronger version work better for hawaii, needs less alcohol (too expensive), it's more powerful (same amount counteracts the bacteria in the tropical subtropical environment) than the one used in Korea.
There are probably more reasons, but the outcome is very different from the original 2/3 version, for example the 1/3 it can be a source of too much heat in the IMO3 process, which for a temperate climate is too much (counterintuitive I know), hence the problems for some people to make a good IMO3 and 4. Also, rice for IMO1 should be treated with OHN, but in the case of a weaker version the IMO1 is probably less agressive in a temperate climate and better colonised by local strains.
Can these be the reason behind the modification in Hawaii? All the sources I have (books, files, pictures, posters, etc) after a certain date change to 1/3, is it of any relevance?
I would really appreciate your opinion on this. Thank you so much
Top answer
Natural Farming Hawaii has an excellent Guide to KNF Medicine with the recipe and explanations.
The origin of this solution is with Master Han-Kyu Cho and he recalls the situation here:
https://youtu.be/tsE_BUvOOHQ?t=49m
(The whole KNF Medicine part starts at 2hours38minutes)
Understanding the origin helps us deepen our scientific understanding of how to use, preserve or modify the recipe based on present circumstances. What makes the KNF Medicine recipe unique in the world of tincturing is the fermentation process that occurs before alcohol is introduced for extraction.
From a merely chemical standpoint, complete tincture can be accomplished in 2 exposures to the material with high proof alcohol. These extractions can then be diluted to reach a similar alcohol content as a traditional recipe. The time and effort saved in this method is significant. However, calculating how much to dilute with water to obtain 1/3 versus 2/3 of new alcohol each time is still an issue.
In a more spiritual aspect, stirring the material every day in the clockwise direction, thinking good thoughts while doing it, putting this much thought and attention into something, following the recipe and dilutions within reason of your intuition has it's own various benefits that only one who treads the path will discover.
I have seen no justification for the recent attempted modification of the recipe from 2/3 to 1/3. Folks may have individually practical concerns such as affordability, as the original recipe calls for more alcohol which carries significant cost, but this is weighed against the volume of KNF Medicine rendered per usage of herbs which is significantly greater. Individual variance should be allowed as necessary, but the whole recipe should not be changed by any other reason than proven effectiveness.
Understanding the origin helps us deepen our scientific understanding of how to use, preserve or modify the recipe based on present circumstances. What makes the KNF Medicine recipe unique in the world of tincturing is the fermentation process that occurs before alcohol is introduced for extraction.
From a merely chemical standpoint, complete tincture can be accomplished in 2 exposures to the material with high proof alcohol. These extractions can then be diluted to reach a similar alcohol content as a traditional recipe. The time and effort saved in this method is significant. However, calculating how much to dilute with water to obtain 1/3 versus 2/3 of new alcohol each time is still an issue.
In a more spiritual aspect, stirring the material every day in the clockwise direction, thinking good thoughts while doing it, putting this much thought and attention into something, following the recipe and dilutions within reason of your intuition has it's own various benefits that only one who treads the path will discover.
I have seen no justification for the recent attempted modification of the recipe from 2/3 to 1/3. Folks may have individually practical concerns such as affordability, as the original recipe calls for more alcohol which carries significant cost, but this is weighed against the volume of KNF Medicine rendered per usage of herbs which is significantly greater. Individual variance should be allowed as necessary, but the whole recipe should not be changed by any other reason than proven effectiveness.
From the KNF library
From the KNF library
Drafted by Claude from Office Hours and the books
·
Sep 2026
·
2 sources
The library holds Master Cho's own recipe text. It speaks to the pour-off, not to Hawaii.
Cho's Theory book puts 1/3 (5L) of the extracted liquid back into the jar with the herb remnant. (Cho, Theory, p. 65) The Cho's Solutions sheet agrees. It says to refill to 1/3 with the pour off, then refill to the brim with new vodka. (Cho's Solutions, p. 9) It says the jar can be refilled 5 times. (Cho's Solutions, p. 9)
So in these two Cho sources, the liquid returned to the jar is 1/3. (Cho, Theory, p. 65) (Cho's Solutions, p. 9)
The library does not say why Hawaii changed the ratio, whether climate calls for a different one, or how OHN strength affects heat in IMO3. Those points need Drake's own judgment.
Sources
- p. 9 Cho's Solutions · “Brown sugar refill to 1/3 with pour off refill to brim with new vodka Jar can be refilled 5 times.”
- p. 65 Cho, Theory · “Pour 1/3 (5L) of the extracted liquid into the jar.”
