Tea leaves left over from making instant tea are usually thrown away, but researchers found that special edible mushrooms can break down these tea residues and convert them into nutritious mushroom protein. Monascus kaoliang B6 was the most effective, using powerful enzymes to decompose the tough plant fibers in tea residue and transform the nutrients into edible mushroom biomass. This discovery offers an environmentally friendly way to recycle tea industry waste into a useful food product without using harsh chemicals.