I actually bring up a lot more than a tablespoon or two, its more like 1/3 to 1/2 cup a day depending. I use the Aeroika when I nebulize 2x daily and then sometimes again mid day. When I get down deep the color can be green...but its been that color for 30 + years. I always heard that the color green can mean infection but that has not been true for me. I have never had any fungal growth but did have Staphylococcus aureus until I started really doing airway clearance and then it went away without having to take medication.