Tea is an odour sponge. Russian caravan in it’s original form obtained a distinctly woody smokey flavour just from being too close to a campfire. It’s simulated today by mixing kemun, lapsang soushong, and oolong. But tea will take on the flavour of anything it’s left with.
First, clean your microwave. If things are picking up flavors from your microwave, that’s a you thing, not a microwave thing.
Second, just cover things that you put into the microwave. You can get reusable covers, or you can often use a paper towel.
Third, a kettle is still better than a microwave for water.
Tea is an odour sponge. Russian caravan in it’s original form obtained a distinctly woody smokey flavour just from being too close to a campfire. It’s simulated today by mixing kemun, lapsang soushong, and oolong. But tea will take on the flavour of anything it’s left with.
So will most things.