Factoid of the Week DID YOU KNOW that the United States Congress passed two laws in the 1800's to protect the quality of the tea that was being imported to the Colonies? In the 19th century, Britannia ruled the waves and the British tea importers had a monopoly on all the tea in the Colonies. They kept the best and sent the worst to the Colonies. If the American merchants refused the bad tea, they were blacklisted. So, in 1883 the Congress promulgated the first Tea Act, amended in 1887, which made the U.S. the world's only country with official tea standards. From 1887 on, all substandard tea was turned away from ports by the government. TEAPOTSANDMORE would like to know if you have a Factoid about tea, or teapots, or if you have any questions regarding this subject. We would love to hear from you. Please click the Contact Us button to send us your comments and/or questions.