It just occurred to me: I have never met a latte I didn't like. Strong coffee smoothed out with lots of heated milk, what could go wrong. Café connoisseurs would say "lots". Me -- a simple espresso drinker -- I would say "very little".
My ignorance encourages a broad tolerance range. For instance, if the coffee is too bitter, I am quick to add a little sugar. I expect to make adjustments. Hey, that's why there is half and half on the table. I see flexibility as a strength.
The connoisseur has more refined expectations. Connoisseurs are more attuned to noticing subtle defects -- subtle to me but not to them. Vary the bean quality, extraction and milk texturing and risk offending the delicate palate of the connoisseur.
When I bought my wife an espresso machine for Christmas, I over bought. I knew nothing about espresso, latte, flat whites or cappuccinos. I turned to the experts. This was a big mistake. The Breville Barista Touch espresso machine was frequently suggested, accompanied by the claim that the approximate price of $1500 was a bargain.
I decided to consult ChatGPT. Wow! The AI program made complete sense and if I had followed its advice I could have saved more than a thousand dollars! Let me quote ChatGPT.

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