Tea ceremonies in North America
As they lack the religious or culturally ingrained aspect for tea, tea ceremonies in the exact sense of Asian tea ceremonies are difficult to see in North America.
However the tradition of having afternoon tea was bestowed upon the ladies of North America from the ones who came from the UK to settle. They followed an elaborate menu as much as, or at times even more, than how the Brits organised it. For the English it was a table with cakes, scones, sandwiches and rarely with a trifle or some other desert option. But the American hostesses included not only the sweets but also savories such as cheese toast, rolled ham, caviar, rolls, cold tongue, crab croquettes, jelly chicken and so much more. These food items in England would have actually been offered for dinner or lunch rather than for tea. Even today the afternoon tea at a commercial establishment encompasses all these sweet and savory food options, quite different to what you could see in England.
Tea enjoyed during these ceremonies was black, but it was quite distinct from what filled the cups of the English. These were light teas with a smooth taste whilst the English preferred the stronger, darker teas from Sri Lanka, India and Kenya. People in North America also prefer peach, vanilla, mango, blueberry and sweetened iced tea to the stronger ones.