DAVEEDA SHAHEEN’s new book, The Finjan, documents her search for the origins of coffee through a series of illustrations and stories. It contains the history of coffee in relation to the coffee cup itself, the life stories and traditions of people who drink it, and until now they have only ever been passed on by word of mouth. The book also contains a number of stunning photographs and illustrations, which accompany, among other things, a step-by-step guide to making a perfect cup of coffee, and images of the coffee grounds themselves.

The Finjan looks particularly at the art inside the cup, as the coffee grounds can provide endless inspiration for inventive and inquisitive minds. As a result of this The Finjan contains transparencies layered over the photographs of coffee grounds to help the reader discern better the image, and so make it easier to interpret the artists’ works.

www.el-finjan.com

Written by Tom Godfrey