[jlamberts]

Guessing the hygenics depend on your local water supply, but some varieties of tea (and coffee actually) want to be brewed at below-boiling

[epolanski]

You can still boil it and just wait a couple of minutes and use a food thermometer, no?

[jlamberts]

Yes, it's just really nice to be able to push a button and have it hold at the right temperature; sort of like how boiling water on the stove or in the microwave and using an electric kettle are functionally equivalent but the kettle is way more convenient.