For several year now I've been making the instant coffee (e.g. Nescafe) as follows: after putting a spoon of coffee I add boiling water just to cover the coffee and stir it with spoon or electrical stirrer. Only after this I fill up the mug and drink.
So my question is: what's the difference (if any) between this method and just filling up the mug with boiling water then stir and drink?
Based on this question and the experiment it prompted, I’d say no difference whatsoever.
There’s one small caveat, though: if you happen to have a brand of instant coffee that doesn’t dissolve well, then, and only then, your two-step method may help to avoid any lumps. I have never had any problems, except for once when I had a jar well past its prime where the contents had become somewhat lumpy.
