I enjoy a nice cup of hot tea pretty regularly, but iced tea is pretty much a year-round staple here in the south - probably mostly because it's so darned hot down here most all of the year. Besides, tea - unlike soft drinks - is loaded with benefits. Tea contains high levels of antioxidants - polyphenols, flavonoids, and catechins - that help to boost the body's defenses against diseases. Some studies have shown that tea may also lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol and protect against heart disease and may help to protect against cancer. For many the mason jar is part of the ritual. Hi Res Pic