Nestlé Caro Landkaffee

Nestlé Caro is a popular caffeine-free coffee substitute made from a roasted blend of barley, malted barley, chicory, and rye. Originally launched in West Germany in 1954, it was developed by the Ludwigsburg-based company Franck (later Unifranck) as an instant, accessible alternative to traditional coffee during the post-war era. The brand name 'Caro' is derived from the German word for the 'diamond' suit in playing cards, which is reflected in the product's signature red diamond logo.

While the brand has deep German roots, Nestlé closed its historic Ludwigsburg production facility in late 2018. Since then, the majority of manufacturing for the European market has been relocated to the Nestlé factory in Avanca, Portugal, though some production occurs in other regional facilities to serve global markets. The Caro brand remains a staple in Nestlé's international beverage portfolio, often sold under the name 'Pero' in the United States and 'Eko' in Spain.