I think some people just actually enjoy the hobby of espresso more than the espresso itself. The research, prepping, experimenting and the purchases that go with it.
That’s obviously fine, you see it in every hobby. Guitarists who build an enormous library of effects pedals, tweaking all day but not really actually playing. Guys who spend more time obsessing over speaker wiring and inch-perfect placement than sitting down and listening.
And then those who just want to get to the coffee with as little effort as possible and enjoy the drink itself for what it is.
Perhaps there’s also a mixture of the two.
I’m too cynical to believe that these guys who go to the nth degree to ensure absolute espresso perfection sit down with a triumphant exhalation and go ‘mmm that is a perfect coffee.
