There comes a point in every tea drinkers journey when it's time to move beyond the store brand, mass market teas at your grocery store and try some tea's that are a bit more luxurious and exotic.

Here's a list of 3 exotic teas you should become familiar with. It will truly take your enjoyment of teas to the next level.

1. Yerba Mate

Yerba Mate is an exotic tea that is actually made from a species of holly. Some say Yerba Mate is an acquired taste, however if you've been drinking green tea for any length of time you'll probably find some similarities that you'll enjoy. The traditional way to enjoy this exotic tea blend is to steep the leaves in a gourd and drinking through an ornate straw called a bombilla, but you can brew Yerba Mate in the traditional way and still get the same enjoyment.

2. Genmaicha Chai

Personally, this is my favorite type of exotic tea. 'Genmaicha' is a Japanese term meaning 'brown rice tea'. As you might guess, this exotic blend is mixed with brown rice. While this may sound like a strange combination, the toasted, slightly sweet taste of the brown rice compliments the less oxidized green tea. If you're a green tea drinker now, genmaicha chai is a natural first step if you're looking to try something more exotic.

3. Masala Chai

If you're looking for a truly exotic flavor, you should try masala chai. The basic idea of masala chai is a tea that is mixed with a variety of bold and sometimes exotic spices. It is typically (but not always) a black tea blend because the bold flavor of the tea matches and compliments the bold spices nicely. The spices used typically include cinnamon, cloves, ginger and cardamom (which is a relative of ginger). There's not really a fixed recipe for masala chai, so you can surely track down an exotic masala chai blend that's perfect for you.

There are so many options available beyond the traditional teas you find at your local grocery store. Hopefully this will get you started into the wonderful and delicious world of exotic teas. Enjoy your journey!