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George Washington, we know, was a tea drinker, purchasing his tea from the Dutch when that thing with the British happened.

Many first ladies, of course, are well known for their tea parties, with fourth first lady Dolly Madison taking the scones in that department, followed closely by Eleanor Roosevelt.

Luckily for tea merchants, our present President announced on The Today Show that he prefers tea to coffee. Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton obviously appreciates tea as her mother made a splash at the Sheraton in New Dehli when she purchase a fine Indian tea for her daughter who was, at the time, the First Lady.

This Presidents Day my thoughts have turned to what I would blend if I were asked to provide a tea to the White House. It would have to be diplomatic, so as not to ruffle international feathers, strong enough for the British to add cream and sugar, and with a floral hint that the First Ladies would enjoy.

So here’s my recipe: Keemun from China (strong with hints of smokiness and pine), Darjeeling from India (light, citrusy, and floral), Kenya tea (for obvious reasons), and just a little hand cut vanilla bean from Mexico. I’d avoid Oolong from Formosa; no need to upset the world’s next superpower more than necessary (though a meeting with the Dalai Lama sounds like a good idea).

Roland Petrov