For a small Christmas get-together, choose six regular currant buns or four large currant and raisin buns. Eight to ten regular buns are a better fit if you’ll use the leftovers or put them away for later. Nine mini currant and raisin buns are another option for smaller individual portions. Decide on the bun size first, and check the packaging you buy for allergen information.
A smaller bag may be enough for a small group or as an extra bread option. PLUS and ALDI offer packs of six regular buns, while larger buns are also available in packs of four. Don’t compare these sizes as though every bun were the same portion.
If you’d like to take some buns along in lunchboxes after your Christmas get-together or freeze them, a pack of eight to ten regular buns could be a good fit. Decide in advance what you’ll do with the rest once the pack is open.
Mini buns make it easier to plan small individual portions than serving one large bun per person. PLUS offers a bag of nine mini currant and raisin buns; check whether other mini varieties also contain currants.
Decide how many people you’re serving and which bun size will suit them. Then consider whether you can use or store any buns left over after Christmas dinner.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Enough portions | Count the people eating and compare the number of buns as well as their size. | If I want to serve everyone at the table a suitable portion, I don’t want to go by the number on the bag alone. Having enough portions is the top priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Storing leftovers | Check the storage instructions on the bag and decide when you’ll use or freeze any leftover buns. | With a larger bag, I want to avoid leaving opened buns uneaten. Around 27% of consumers say storing leftovers is their top priority. |
| Size for each occasion | Check whether you’re choosing mini, regular or giant buns; they aren’t interchangeable. | For a buffet or lunchbox, I want to be able to divide up smaller portions individually. Portion size matters most to around 20% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients list and allergen information on the pack you buy. | If any guests need to avoid certain ingredients, I want to be able to check the pack I’ve chosen before serving. Around 20% of consumers put checking the label first. |
Four giant buns won’t provide the same kind of portions as four regular or mini buns. The size you choose may not work well for the table you have in mind.
First decide how large a portion each guest should have, then choose the number of buns.
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says an opened currant bun will keep in a kitchen cupboard for two to four days; after that, its quality may deteriorate.
Choose eight to ten buns if you know how you’ll use or store the rest. For its pack of eight currant buns, PLUS says you can freeze them at home on the day of purchase and use them within one month.
A general note about baker’s salt won’t tell you which ingredients are in the bag you’re serving.
If the type of salt matters to your choice, check the ingredients list on the specific pack.
Albert Heijn offers a pack of ten regular raisin and currant buns, as well as a separate variety of nine mini raisin buns.
PLUS offers currant and raisin buns in different sizes, including four giant buns, six regular buns, eight longer-lasting buns and nine mini buns.
ALDI offers packs of six raisin and currant buns and packs of four giant raisin buns.
Lidl offers regular currant buns and mini raisin and currant buns as separate varieties.
First choose the bun size, then decide how many you’ll need for your Christmas get-together and any lunchboxes. Four giant buns aren’t directly comparable with six regular or nine mini buns. If you’re specifically looking for currant buns, also check that the mini or giant variety contains currants.
Yes. Follow the instructions on the pack you’ve chosen. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says an opened currant bun can be kept in the freezer for one to three months, after which its quality may deteriorate. For its pack of eight, PLUS gives more specific advice: freeze the buns on the day of purchase and use them within one month.
The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says an opened currant bun will keep in a kitchen cupboard for two to four days. Also check the storage instructions on the pack, and don’t eat buns that have gone mouldy.
Yes. Check the allergen information on the pack you’re actually serving. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre stresses the importance of clear allergen labelling, while Albert Heijn warns that product ingredients and allergy information can change.
Don’t assume that every currant bun contains the same type of salt. If the salt matters to your choice, check the ingredients list on the specific pack.
