In the first year of our marriage, we've worked hard to stay within budget. But the one thing we never skimped on was coffee. 

We'd take advantage of the Buy One Get One offer on Thursdays at our local Starbucks, or splurge on afternoon coffees as an excuse to get out of the house during shelter-in-place, or simply make a third (yes, third) carafe at home just because we could.

Through all of this, we've tried a few brands of coffee, but in late 2019, found a local roaster and had remained faithful. PLUS, with a renewed effort to stick to our budget, I stopped buying all the pretty bags of coffee I'd seen online and in stores. 

Flash forward to the start of Fall 2020. 

We were coming off a long few months of ministry--some really high highs in the midst of Quarantine (and Post-Quarantine) Youth Ministry, and gearing up for a Fall/Winter filled with events, and community groups, and early dark nights.

It felt like time for fresh little pick-me-up.

And, since flights aren't really option these days--nor are they the best choice when working to stick to a budget--coffee it was.

I'd seen these beautifully designed Blk and Bold bags at Target a few months back and they piqued my interest. I was curious to know if the coffee inside was as great as the packaging. 

After reading about the Iowa-based Black-owned company that “pledges 5% of its profits to initiatives aligned to sustaining youth programming, enhancing workforce development, and eradicating youth homelessness”, I really couldn't wait to try a few different roasts. I scrolled through a few reviews, I decided on a bag of La Guadalupe.

As I made our first pour-over, I told Josh, "This smells exactly like a really good Coffee Shop. I can't wait to taste it."

It was every bit as good as I'd hoped. 

It's smooth and flavorful and... is it weird to say the taste is comforting? Maybe it's weird, but that doesn't make it any less accurate.

I've already ordered two more bags: another La Guadalupe, because that's most likely our new go-to, and a bag of the Limu, which is a really delicious dessert-y coffee. (Chocolate and blueberries? Yes please! I'm really hoping they start to offer this one in Decaf.)

We're currently plodding our way through the remains of the final bag of our previous favorite (from the local roaster) because I can't bring myself to throw away perfectly good coffee. But you can bet your booty our coffee cabinet will be filled with Blk and Bold (and an HEB Decaf because I'm still waiting on Blk and Bold Decaf) from here on out.

Have you tried Blk and Bold?