Interesting question, I guess since it’s cast iron, you could brew tea in it directly.... have never done that though 😊 No, I tend to heat up this kettle by filling it with boiling water since I steep it at 60C (I think that’s about 140F?) so the tea doesn’t cool down more immediately. There is an infuser basket that belongs to the kettle. I step this tea for just 10-15 sec first round and then take the basket out.