A ready-to-drink tea beverage contains tea extract, aerated water and benzoate, such as a benzoic acid salt. The beverage and/or the aerated water can contain at least 5.0 ppm dioxygen (O2) and preferably at least about 5.0 ppm O2. The aerated water can reduce or prevent benzene formation and can reduce the benzene content of the beverage. The beverage can lack dimethyl dicarbonate and/or ascorbic acid. The water can be aerated before and/or after the beverage is dispensed in a can or another suitable container.
