I was thinking maybe the leaves leach some pectin-like substance,
which would explain why it congeals overnight instead of immediately,
but then it seems it only happens with this *one* pot.... Yep,
definitely haunted. :-)

> But here's the thing. If I pitch fresh leaves into a clean pot, I can
> make a nice cup. A little bit later, I can toss more on the stale and
> make another. This can pretty much go on all day, bladder permitting.
> However, if I let the stale sit very long, like overnight, and then toss
> fresh leaves and make a new cup in the morning, the water gets
> transmogrified into Alien Drool(TM). Rice powder would not wait
> overnight. Not unless it was /evil/ rice powder.
>
> I have been trying various highly scientific experiments to see if I can
> "breed" the stuff by tossing slimy tea fluid into mason jars with leaves
> old and new, and water, hot and cold, and no dice. This stuff only
> grows in the pot, in stale leaves, and overnight. It's a haunted pot.
> Pixies or spooks are at work.