Can I drink this instead of coffee — and when does that make sense?

HUTOROK with schisandra and sea buckthorn is a caffeine-free drink. This is its key difference from coffee: it has none of the stimulating effect of caffeine. However, schisandra is traditionally classed as a tonic plant, so if you drink it in the evening, watch how it affects your sleep.

It is chosen in several situations:

• when you want a warm, full-bodied drink in the morning but without the caffeine load;
• as a drink for an evening break, when coffee is no longer desirable;
• when deliberately cutting back on coffee — as a flavourful substitute that keeps the ritual of a warm drink;
• in the cold season, when you want something warming with a mild plant flavour.

It is important to understand that chicory with added ingredients does not taste like a copy of coffee. It has its own flavour logic: a caramel and nutty base, the tart freshness of schisandra and the tangy fruity accent of sea buckthorn. If you expect an exact reproduction of the taste of coffee, your expectations may not match reality. But as a drink in its own right with its own character, it can well find a place in your morning or daytime routine.