Unveiled by developer, Chicago-based Jamaican paediatric dermatology fellow, Dr Shardae Heinisch

United States-based Jamaican paediatric dermatology fellow, Dr Shardae Heinisch has developed a sorrel-infused coffee, something no other coffee company has achieved.

She has traveled back to the majestic Blue Mountains of Portland to unveil the new sorrel-infused coffee and have it tasted and cupped by two veteran coffee experts. 

“I was nervous and excited, but it was heartwarming to hear the candid comments of experts who began calling out the flavours, aromas and uniqueness of two of my favorite things – sorrel and coffee,” Heinisch explained.

In addition to being a flavourful and beloved beverage of the Caribbean, sorrel is widely believed to be rich in antioxidants that help prevent chronic conditions like heart disease, cancer and Type-2 diabetes. Sorrel is also known to have beneficial effects such as reducing pain and inflammation.

Mellow Royale Café one-year anniversary

Today, Heinisch is celebrating the one-year anniversary of her Jamaican coffee company, Mellow Royale Café. Mellow Royale Café is a minority women-owned small business that specialises in more than 100 varieties of tropical coffee roasts by Jamaicans with more than 30 years of experience.

Heinisch will donate a portion of the company proceeds to the Jamaican Dermatology Healthcare System. The Chicago paediatric dermatology fellow credits her island country of Jamaica with investing in her future.

According to her, “I entered the medical field out of a genuine love for people, which prompted my desire to always find ways to give back. My country believed and invested in me. So, when I did not return, I felt compelled to give back. That was part of my reason for launching Mellow Royale Café last year. My goal is to donate proceeds from my endeavours to pay it forward and help others in need”. 

Heinisch is the first Jamaican doctor awarded the Senior Clinical Pediatric Dermatology Fellowship with a special interest in genodermatosis at the St John’s Institute of Dermatology, Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust hospitals in the United Kingdom, where she received formal dermatology training, which was not available in the Caribbean.

Heinisch’s initial plan was to return to Jamaica to put her training to work. Instead, she met the love of her life, Weston, while in the UK, then moved to Chicago where they married and she began medical training at the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago. 

Weston works closely with her at Mellow Royale Café.