Can I brew tea leaves ?

The screen in the press is fine enough to strain tea leaves and make a fine pot of tea. If the press is also used to make coffee, be sure to wash the screen well to remove coffee brewing oils.

What is 'frustration-free packaging?

Comes together in box, no shrink wrap

Some say I can't immediately pour boiling hot water in or it'll break the glass is this true??

Not true. It's a coffee press. It's designed to have boiling water poured into it. As far as models go, I don't recommend any of the ones with the plastic framework. The beaker fits too snuggly in the frame to make it easy to clean. I broke the one I had trying to clean it. Cut my fingers pretty good on the glass in the process. The metal framed models are a lot easier to clean. I use mine everyday. Have had it for several years (probably 4 or 5) and it's held up well. It should last literally a lifetime with proper care. I love French press coffee. It makes anything else taste like swamp water (not that I've had swamp water). And as far as I can tell Bodum makes THE best coffee presses.