When I was growing up, my dad or mom would use loose tea to make our sweet tea. Boil some water and put in a heaping tablespoonful and then turn the fire off after a minute and let it sit awhile (steep?) Then later pour it thru a strainer into a large pitcher and add sugar and stir then fill with water. I grew up calling it a "tea strainer" and still do. And whoever took the last glass of tea had to make another pitcher. We had iced tea at all times as far back as I can remember. I never even heard of anyone drinking hot tea until I was around 20.