Sometimes, it’s the little things in life that bring a moment of happiness. For me, one of those little rituals is sharing a freshly filtered coffee with my dad after lunch.

It’s become almost a religious act for us—tying together decades of happy meals and meaningful conversations. Each cup feels like a reminder that we can pull joy from the past into the present. (Is that a life quote in the making? Let’s try:

“Make your happy past a gift by carrying it into the present.”

Does that work? No? Okay, moving on... but you get the point, right?)

Exploring the Best Coffee on a Budget

To find great coffee that doesn’t break the bank, my dad and I have sampled quite a few options, mostly from Amazon. Surprisingly, the Amazon Brand coffee has been decent—it’s a solid go-to for a budget-friendly, everyday brew.

But preferences matter. Are you into strong, medium, or mild coffee? For us, the stronger, the better. Over time, our taste buds have grown fond of bold flavors.

Our top pick so far? Morrisons French Roast Ground Coffee—but it’s sadly sold out in our area! We’ve also enjoyed Starbucks House Blend, Medium Roast in the past, but it’s become too mild for us lately. As for Nescafé Grande Roast and Ground Filter Coffee, it’s... okay. It does the job, but it hasn’t made the “must-buy” list.

Our Coffee Hunt Continues...

Right now, we’re about to try Carte Noire Classique, 100% Pure Arabica, Medium Roast Ground Coffee. Fingers crossed it delivers the freshly ground taste we’re chasing! I’ll share my thoughts on X once we’ve brewed it (click the like button below to join the chat).

And now, confession time: despite everything I’ve just said about being coffee snobs, we do keep instant coffee on hand for visitors. Our choice? Nescafé Gold Blend Decaf Instant Coffee. I know, I know! But it’s surprisingly decent and budget-friendly.

Calling All Coffee Connoisseurs!

If you’re a coffee expert (or just really love your brew), I’d love to hear from you! What’s your go-to ground coffee? Anything we should try next? Click the “like and chat” button below and share your recommendations.

A Coffee Moment With Nature

Wherever you are, I hope you take a moment to enjoy your coffee today. Sit somewhere with a view of nature, and with every sip, let yourself watch, listen, and absorb what the world around you has to offer.

As always, stay happy!
CJB

PS: This post is not intended to be a full on coffee connoisseur paradise. So if you still want to find one of those virtual places, I recommend James Hoffmann's YouTube Channel which you can try out below: