Why do drinks made with no dairy or sugar or anything (like unsweet tea or black coffee – just water and leaves/beans) sour or mold over time?

Question

I’d think the factors that cause mold would be stuff like sugars, dairy, sweeteners in drinks. Water doesn’t really do that alone, so why does water + leaves mold?

This question has been bothering me and I’m finally asking because it’s driving me crazy.

In: 23

Answer 1

Coffee, tea, and all plant/animal based foods contain cells. These cells contain the nutrients they need to function, which is why heterotrophs consume them. While not as packed with energy as say pure sugar life wastes nothing and if there is enough for fungus to grow it will.