I do this more for cocoa or other drink powders that tend to clump/not dissolve easily. Mostly cocoa powder when mixing it with cold soy milk before microwaving.
But first I put the powder in the bottom of the mug.
(If using any sugar add that and stir it through, taking the chance to crush out any lumps between the back of the spoon and the side of the mug. The rough granules both help to break lumps up mechanically and also the dispersion/dissolvability helps the liquid permeate the dry powder.)
Then add a small amount of the hot water/milk/liquid and stir it into a thick smooth paste, continuing to crush out any lumps. Keep adding small amounts and stirring until it’s thin and smooth, then add the rest of the hot water/milk/liquid.
(Then heat the drink in microwave if it needs to be heated, continuing to crush and stir. This catches any strays and prevents hot spots, or hotter liquid settling at the top with colder at the bottom.)
TL;DR: I don’t use powdered milk and haven’t done this with tea. But if you mix the milk powder to a paste before adding the rest of the boiling water then chuck the teabag in it might dissolve better and may still steep like normal. (I add my soy milk immediately and leave the teabag in because I’m not waiting around to forget about the tea.)
Justkitten’s suggestion of making the brewed tea first and then mixing hot tea into the milk powder is probably better. I just always try to do things in one cup/bowl/pot at any cost because I hate dishes
I do this more for cocoa or other drink powders that tend to clump/not dissolve easily. Mostly cocoa powder when mixing it with cold soy milk before microwaving.
But first I put the powder in the bottom of the mug.
(If using any sugar add that and stir it through, taking the chance to crush out any lumps between the back of the spoon and the side of the mug. The rough granules both help to break lumps up mechanically and also the dispersion/dissolvability helps the liquid permeate the dry powder.)
Then add a small amount of the hot water/milk/liquid and stir it into a thick smooth paste, continuing to crush out any lumps. Keep adding small amounts and stirring until it’s thin and smooth, then add the rest of the hot water/milk/liquid.
(Then heat the drink in microwave if it needs to be heated, continuing to crush and stir. This catches any strays and prevents hot spots, or hotter liquid settling at the top with colder at the bottom.)
TL;DR: I don’t use powdered milk and haven’t done this with tea. But if you mix the milk powder to a paste before adding the rest of the boiling water then chuck the teabag in it might dissolve better and may still steep like normal. (I add my soy milk immediately and leave the teabag in because I’m not waiting around to forget about the tea.)
Will test !!
Justkitten’s suggestion of making the brewed tea first and then mixing hot tea into the milk powder is probably better. I just always try to do things in one cup/bowl/pot at any cost because I hate dishes