A TEA expert from Hampshire has joined forces with a chef of an internationally acclaimed chocolate company in a bid to find the best taste combination.

Tim Clifton, a tea taster from Grateley, near Andover, met Lindt’s Master Chocolatier Stefan Bruderer to try and find the right balance of rich chocolate and refreshing tea in preparation for Lindt’s entry into forthcoming tea and coffee festivals.

The two concocted nine pairings in all including Lindt’s excellence 70 per cent cocoa with herbal green tea, the touch |of sea salt with Assam tea for a more punchy flavour and the |chilli chocolate with chai tea.

Mr Bruderer has also been working with wine connoisseur Sarah Jane Evans and expert barista Robert Henry to create new wine and coffee pairings.