Why Does My Tea Get Slimy? (7 Reasons and Solutions!)

There are so many types of tea. Though they differ in several ways, something common to every tea is the nutrition and health benefits. You may, however, notice that your tea becomes slimy sometimes. Is this normal? Why does your tea get slimy? Let us discuss seven reasons your tea gets slimy and also seven solutions.

Why Does Tea Get Slimy?

There are different reasons why your tea is slimy. Maybe that is how it is supposed to be. Perhaps you do not follow instructions when brewing it. Well, here are common reasons why your tea can get slimy:

1. Your Tea Is Becoming Bad

One of the most common reasons your tea becomes slimy is that it is spoiled.

When your tea is contaminated with harmful microbes such as some fungi and bacteria species, it can get slimy. The growing colonies of these microbes can give your tea is slimy consistency. They can also change the properties of your tea.

Later in this article, we will discuss how to tell if your tea is bad or not.

2. You Are Using Powdered Tea

It is common for tea brewed from powder to be slimy. This is especially true when you use too many powders. The steeping process of powdered tea is different from regular tea because powder easily releases nutrients, color, and taste. Steeping for too long or using more tea powder than needed can make your tea become slimy.

3. You Have Kept the Tea for Too Long Without Proper Storage

If you do not store your tea properly, you will be exposing it to harmful microbes that can make it slimy.

Exposing your tea to the wind or keeping it in a humid room can contaminate it, and it will develop a slimy consistency. If your tea becomes slimy (when it is not supposed to), you should not consume it.

4. There Is Spit on the Tea

Do you have children or dogs in your home? What if they drooled in your tea in your absence? Carefully examine the slime on your tea. If the entire consistency is not slimy and the slime is just on the surface of your tea, it could be a foreign liquid such as spit. You should not drink this tea.

5. Common in Scoby Tea

Kombucha scoby is a unique tea that can be slimy if you do not do it properly. Remember that “SCOBY” means Symbiotic Culture of Bacteria and Yeast. This type of tea has a lot of beneficial microbes in it, and if you do not properly brew and ferment it, it will be slimy. You should always follow instructions.

6. You Do Not Wash Your Cups and Utensils Thoroughly

Germs and bacteria can make their way into your tea when you do not wash your cups and utensils adequately.

If you brew a new tea in a dirty cup or with dirty utensils, it will go bad quickly, and you will notice that it gets slimy in no time. Make sure that your utensils are clean.

7. Too Much Sugar

Sugar is an ingredient that can give your tea a slime-grit consistency when you use too much. You should not use too many sugars because sugar intake can affect your health and cause diabetes.

As you can see, there are several reasons why your tea may be slimy. How do you prevent your tea from becoming slimy? Continue reading.

How to Prevent Your Tea from Getting Slimy

Here are some valuable tips to help prevent your tea from becoming slimy:

1. Soak Your Tea Infuser in Vinegar Overnight

Use this tip if you feel that your tea is becoming slimy because of dirty utensils.

If you steep your tea with a tea infuser, you should properly sanitize the infuser as germs can quickly grow in it.

To help sanitize your tea infuser, soak it in vinegar for more than 6 hours. You can also use hot water if you want.

2. Store Your Tea Properly or Do Not Make More Than You Need

If you cannot completely consume what you are brewing in one sitting, consider decreasing the amount you brew. Tea is best when fresh and hot, but you can store it in a fridge or freezer. It is best to brew only what you need.

3. Always Check Your Tea Expiry Date

Before brewing your tea, check the expiry date to make sure that it has not expired. There is often mold in expired tea, which can give your brewed tea a slimy consistency. Mold in tea can also harm you. Only brew tea that has not expired.

4. Use Less Sugars

Do you think that your tea is slimy because of sugar? Reduce the amount of sugars that you use. It is better to brew tea without sugar than with too many sugars. What do you think? Will you reduce your sugar intake?

5. Avoid Humid and Windy Places

A humid room is a perfect place for germs to grow. Keeping your tea uncovered in an area with high humidity is not a healthy idea. Also, avoid keeping your tea in windy places as germs spread their pores with the wind. Covering your brewed tea in these conditions can help.

6. Store Your Teabags and Leaves in Airtight Containers

Storing your teabags and leaves in airtight containers will prevent germs from contaminating them. You should keep your tea properly so that it does not become contaminated with germs.

7. Always Sanitize Your Utensils

Sanitize your cups, spoons, kettles, and everything that you make your tea with. You should not give germs any chance to grow in your tea. If your tea gets slimy because of germs, it is best that you are always cautious when making tea.

Valuable tips, right? Now let us discuss how to identify contaminated tea.

Some Indicators That Tea Is Bad

Here are some methods to tell if your tea is bad or not:

• Mold on Tea Surface: Are there traces of mold on your tea? Can you see anything foreign floating in your tea or attached to the cup? If you did not properly store your tea and discover mold on it, you should dispose of it.
• Foul Smell and Taste: Spoiled tea has a terrible smell and taste. Chances are, you will not want to taste it in the first place. When your tea smells off or not as your favorite brew should, please dispose of it.
• Change of Color: Any tea with color change after sitting for some days is no longer safe for consumption. Dispose of it.

Make sure that you dispose of your contaminated tea.

Related Questions and Answers

Here are answers to questions that you might ask about slimy tea:

1. Can You Drink Slimy Tea?

You should only drink slimy tea if you expect it to be slimy. If you follow every instruction and expect the tea to be slimy, you can drink it. If your tea is slimy because it is bad or contaminated, however, you should not drink it. Dispose of such tea.

2. What Can You Do If Your Tea Becomes Slimy Often?

If your tea becomes slimy regularly, you should contact your Local Environmental Health Department. They will happily help you investigate the cause of your slimy tea and give you professional suggestions.

3. Can Frozen Tea Become Slimy?

When you freeze your tea, it should not be slimy. Germs cannot grow in such low temperatures. If you notice that there is slime in your store-bought frozen tea, you should contact the staff for support.

Have you found the answer to your question?

Final Thoughts

Tea should not be slimy. Some reasons why your tea may be slimy are contamination, too many sugars, using powdered tea, etc. You should make sure that you brew your tea by following instructions. Also, brew your tea with clean utensils.

Resources

• https://tasteebrew.com/why-does-my-tea-get-slimy/
• https://www.quora.com/I-found-a-slimy-thing-in-my-iced-tea-at-a-restaurant-and-I-don-t-know-what-it-is-but-I-m-afraid-it-was-something-dangerous-What-was-it
• https://www.lacademie.com/does-tea-go-bad/
• https://www.teachat.com/viewtopic.php?t=891
• https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2005/nov/04/foodanddrink.features