GREEN tea, fruit teas, infusions and iced tea are selling in greater numbers than ever while the ordinary cuppa is becoming less popular.

Now two Dorset lads have their own business brewing and plan to give some of the bigger companies some “steep” competition with their own range of specialist herbal brews.

Ross Tapley and Ed Snook, both 23, met at Poole grammar school and became friends again after they had left university.

Founder Ross is a qualified herbalist, who started making medicinal teas for his friends for congestion, depression, headaches and sore throats.

“I was making teas for friends to help them if they had coughs and colds and then one for depression – for people coming off medication as it smoothes the transition and it went from there.

“I’m a big foodie – I love things that taste good but I’m also fascinated by the chemistry of how it works. An Indian chef showed me how to make a chai so I decided to make my own house chai and it went from there.”

There are around 37 different types of tea ranging from favourites such as Turkish Delight, coconut chai and chocolate orange.

Business partner Ed added that herbal and flavoured teas are having a big revival at the moment with even big brands doing new and more refined ranges.

He said: “I want to get more people my age drinking tea.

“I only remember one person at uni who drank green tea but that was because he was into health and fitness.

“Many people know that it’s good for you but think they don’t really need it although they will take lots of vitamin supplements.

“We have also made one for charity this month to support Movember, chocolate and chipotle – a man’s tea.

“The chocolate is organic – it is very rich, almost a bit tart, but when it hits the water it is lovely and smooth.”

Their approach to making the teas is unconventional.

Between them they can produce around 1,000 bags a day, on spooning the tea and herbs into the bags using a pair of hair straighteners.

“We will be getting mechanised in February and then we will be able can do 50 a minute,” adds Ed.

The pair are also looking to develop a range of iced cocktail teas including Marteani and MyChai and have been testing them out on family and friends and at festivals.

Ross: “We want to raise the Dorset brand and to offer types of tea you can’t find elsewhere.”

Their hangover tea proved a big seller over Christmas and the New Year.