Valentine’s day is coming up, and what better way to show your sweetie you care than putting a little extra love into his or her coffee. Learning to make latte art takes time and effort, but so does a relationship. Spending a few days getting the tricks of the trade down will demonstrate commitment and persistence.

Another side to your love

Showing your affectionate side with coffee may be new to you. Wearing your heart in your mug is different than on your sleeve. But people everywhere are rediscovering the value of homemade gifts, and the gift of coffee love keeps on giving.

Pouring one heart

This first video demonstrates how to pour one big heart. If you’re not familiar with the brewing or frothing techniques, please check out Latte Art 101.

Pouring a perfect heart takes some practice, so don’t be afraid to practice with decaf, to avoid over-caffeination.

Crafting five hearts

The second technique is a fairly simple application but requires an etching tool — if you don’t have one, you can simply use a needle or toothpick.