By Hana · Last updated: 27 October 2026
Bar is a unit of pressure; 1 bar is roughly the air pressure around us at sea level. When an espresso machine says "20 bar", it means its pump can push water through the coffee at up to 20 times that pressure. That pressure is what pulls oils into a short, rich espresso with crema. Choosing a machine? See our best portable espresso machine guide.
Three terms in one line each
- Espresso: a short, concentrated coffee made by forcing hot water through finely ground coffee under pressure.
- Bar: a unit of pressure; 1 bar is about sea-level air pressure. "20 bar" is the most a pump can push.
- Crema: the thin golden-brown foam on top of a fresh espresso.
Jump to a term (A–Z)
Americano · Arabica / robusta · Basket · Bar · Brew ratio · Brew temperature · Capsule / pod · Channelling · Crema · Descaling · Dose · Double shot / doppio · Espresso · Extraction · Grind size · Kopi · Latte / flat white / cappuccino · Long black · Lungo · Pre-heating · Pre-infusion · Puck · Ristretto · Self-heating espresso machine · Tamping
What is bar pressure in espresso?
Bar measures pressure: 1 bar is about the weight of the air pressing on us at sea level. An espresso machine rated at 20 bar can push water through the coffee at up to 20 times that. High pressure forces hot water through a tightly packed, fine grind fast, giving a short, strong shot.
On a portable machine: Heypresso 2.0 is rated up to 20 bar. "Up to" is the maximum its pump can reach. Taste also depends on grind, dose and water temperature, so pressure alone won't fix stale coffee or a coarse grind.
What is crema?
Crema is the thin, golden-brown foam on top of a fresh espresso. It forms when hot water under pressure pulls oils and gases out of freshly ground coffee. Fresh beans, a fine grind and enough pressure give more crema. It fades within a few minutes, so drink espresso soon after brewing.
On a portable machine: crema needs pressure and heat. Heypresso 2.0 heats water up to about 92°C and uses its 20-bar pump; Hiblendr describes the result as espresso with rich crema.
Single vs double shot: what's the difference?
A double shot uses about twice the ground coffee of a single and gives a larger, stronger espresso. Heypresso 2.0 has a 16g basket, which Hiblendr says is sized for a true double shot. A double is the usual base for an americano or latte, while a single suits a quick, short coffee.
| Drink | Coffee in / cup size | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Double shot (Heypresso 2.0 basket) | Up to 16g ground coffee | Hiblendr Heypresso 2.0 page |
| Classic espresso shot (Heypresso tank marker) | 30ml water | Hiblendr Heypresso 2.0 FAQ |
| Ristretto / Espresso / Lungo (capsule) | 25ml / 40ml / 110ml | Nespresso Malaysia, Original capsules |
Ristretto, espresso and lungo
They're espresso sizes. Nespresso lists them as Ristretto 25ml, Espresso 40ml and Lungo 110ml. A ristretto uses less water for a shorter, more intense coffee; a lungo uses more water for a longer, milder one. On a portable machine, the water tank size limits how long a coffee you can brew in one go.
On a portable machine: Heypresso 2.0 has an 80ml water tank (up from 60ml on the first version), with markers inside at 30ml for a classic espresso shot and 80ml for a longer one. For a full 110ml lungo or a mug, top up with hot water afterwards.
A–Z espresso glossary
Americano
Espresso topped up with hot water, giving a longer black coffee with the same espresso flavour but less intensity.
On a portable machine: Brew a single or double shot, then top up with hot water from a kettle or flask. For iced, pour over ice and add cold water.
Arabica / robusta
The two main coffee species. Arabica is often described as smoother; robusta as stronger and more bitter. Many blends mix both.
Basket
The small metal filter that holds ground coffee while water is pushed through it.
On a portable machine: Heypresso 2.0 has a 16g ground-coffee basket, sized for a true double shot.
Bar
A unit of pressure. 1 bar is about the air pressure at sea level. See What is bar pressure.
On a portable machine: Heypresso 2.0 is rated up to 20 bar, the maximum its pump can reach.
Brew ratio
How much ground coffee goes in compared with how much espresso comes out. Baristas adjust it to make a shot stronger or longer.
On a portable machine: Keep the dose the same and change only the water amount, so you can taste the difference.
Brew temperature
How hot the water is when it reaches the coffee. Water that is too cool tends to give a weak, sour shot.
On a portable machine: Heypresso 2.0 heats water up to about 92°C in about 300 seconds, even from room-temperature water.
Capsule / pod
A sealed, pre-measured portion of ground coffee. Capsules are quick, clean and consistent; a capsule coffee machine or portable pod machine just needs water and the capsule.
On a portable machine: Heypresso 2.0 takes Nespresso Original-size small capsules, large capsules and ground coffee.
Channelling
When water finds a gap or crack in the coffee bed and rushes through it, giving a weak, sour shot.
On a portable machine: Spread the grounds evenly and tamp level; small portable baskets show channelling quickly.
Crema
The golden-brown foam on top of fresh espresso. See What is crema.
Descaling
Removing mineral build-up left by water inside a machine over time.
On a portable machine: Heypresso 2.0 has a self-cleaning button that rinses it inside and out. Follow the manual for anything more.
Dose
The weight of ground coffee in the basket, measured in grams.
On a portable machine: A Heypresso 2.0 double uses up to 16g of ground coffee.
Double shot / doppio
An espresso made with about twice the coffee of a single, giving a larger, stronger shot. See Single vs double shot.
Espresso
A short, concentrated coffee made by forcing hot water through finely ground coffee under pressure.
On a portable machine: A self-heating espresso machine like Heypresso 2.0 does this without a kettle.
Extraction
How much flavour the water pulls out of the coffee. Under-extracted shots taste sour and thin; over-extracted shots taste bitter and dry.
On a portable machine: Sour? Grind finer. Bitter? Grind a little coarser or use less water.
Grind size
How fine the coffee is ground. Espresso needs a fine grind so water meets enough resistance.
On a portable machine: You'll need a coffee grinder (manual or electric grinder) or pre-ground coffee labelled for espresso. Capsules skip this step.
Kopi
Malaysian-style coffee, usually brewed strong and served with condensed or evaporated milk and sugar, or black as kopi O.
On a portable machine: Try our blender kopi recipes, or use an espresso shot as a kopi-style base.
Latte / flat white / cappuccino
Espresso with milk. A latte has the most steamed milk and a thin foam layer; a flat white is smaller and stronger; a cappuccino has a thick foam cap.
On a portable machine: Warm and froth the milk separately, then pour it over the shot. See how to make a latte with a portable espresso machine.
Long black
Hot water first, then espresso poured on top. This keeps the crema on top.
On a portable machine: Pour hot water into the cup, then brew the shot straight on top.
Lungo
A longer espresso made with more water. See Ristretto, espresso and lungo.
Pre-heating
Warming the water, and ideally the cup, before brewing so the shot stays hot.
On a portable machine: On a self-heating machine, starting with hot water saves time and battery.
Pre-infusion
A short, low-pressure wetting of the coffee before full pressure, used on some machines to reduce channelling.
Puck
The cake of used coffee left in the basket after brewing.
On a portable machine: Knock it out and rinse the basket straight after brewing, before it dries.
Ristretto
A short, intense espresso made with less water. See Ristretto, espresso and lungo.
Self-heating espresso machine
A portable machine that heats water from its own battery. Manual machines don't heat water, so you need hot water from a kettle or flask.
On a portable machine: Heypresso 2.0 is self-heating; Wacaco Nanopresso, Picopresso and Staresso are manual. Compare them in Heypresso vs Wacaco vs Staresso.
Tamping
Pressing ground coffee flat and level in the basket so water flows through it evenly.
On a portable machine: Portable baskets are small, so press gently and evenly; you don’t need heavy force.
Which espresso terms matter most when buying a portable machine?
Six terms do most of the work: heating, pressure, dose, tank size, capsule types and battery. A machine that heats its own water, takes a full double dose and accepts capsules and ground coffee covers the most situations, from the office to a campsite.
- Does it heat water? Self-heating means no kettle. Heypresso 2.0 heats up to about 92°C in about 300 seconds.
- Pressure (bar): Heypresso 2.0 is rated up to 20 bar.
- Basket size (dose): 16g for a true double on Heypresso 2.0.
- Tank size: 80ml, with 30ml and 80ml markers.
- Capsule types: ground coffee, Nespresso Original-size small capsules and large capsules.
- Battery and charging: 7500mAh with USB-C. Expect 3–5 shots per charge when it heats and extracts (depending on water volume and temperature), and up to 50 when you add hot water so it only extracts.
- Weight: 680g.
Heypresso 2.0 ticks every box on that list, and Hiblendr is trusted by 60,000+ customers. It is RM429 today (regular price RM499). If you brew at a desk, the Heypresso Coffee Stand (RM59, regular RM79) holds the machine over your cup. For a side-by-side with other machines, read our best portable espresso machine guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is 20 bar better than 15 bar?
Not automatically. The bar figure is the maximum pressure a pump can reach; good espresso also depends on fresh coffee, a fine grind, the right dose and hot enough water. Use the number to compare machines, but don't buy on pressure alone. Heypresso 2.0 is rated up to 20 bar.
Can a portable espresso machine make crema?
Yes, a self-heating machine with enough pressure can. Heypresso 2.0 is rated up to 20 bar and heats water up to about 92°C, and Hiblendr describes its espresso as having rich crema. Freshly ground coffee or a fresh capsule gives the best crema, so drink it soon after brewing.
Do I need a grinder for a portable espresso machine?
No. You can use pre-ground coffee labelled for espresso, or capsules if your machine takes them. A grinder lets you grind fresh and fine-tune the grind, which helps flavour, but it's optional. Heypresso 2.0 takes ground coffee, small capsules and large capsules, so you can switch any time.
What's the difference between a capsule and ground coffee?
Capsules are pre-measured, sealed portions: quick, clean and consistent. Ground coffee is usually cheaper per cup and lets you choose any bean and dose. Some portable machines take only one. Heypresso 2.0 takes both ground coffee and Nespresso Original-size capsules, plus large capsules, with a separate adapter for each.
What temperature should espresso water be?
Hot, but not boiling. Water that is too cool tends to give a sour, weak shot. Heypresso 2.0 heats its water up to about 92°C in about 300 seconds before brewing, so you can start with room-temperature water. If you already have hot water, add it to skip most of the heating.
What is an americano?
An americano is espresso topped up with hot water, giving a longer black coffee. With a portable machine, brew a single or double shot, then add hot water from a kettle or flask. For an iced americano, pour the shot over ice and add cold water. It's the closest espresso drink to kopi O.
Sources
- Hiblendr, Heypresso Portable Espresso Coffee Machine 2.0 product page and FAQ (checked 27 October 2026): up to 20 bar, up to 92°C in about 300 seconds, 16g basket, 80ml tank with 30ml/80ml markers, ground coffee plus small and large capsules, 7500mAh USB-C, 680g, RM429 (regular RM499).
- Nespresso Malaysia, Original coffee capsules (checked 27 October 2026): Ristretto 25ml, Espresso 40ml, Lungo 110ml.
- Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, How Things Fly: atmospheric pressure units: one bar is 100,000 pascals, about atmospheric pressure at sea level.
- Hiblendr, Heypresso Coffee Stand product page (checked 27 October 2026): RM59 (regular RM79).
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