Which choice is right for you?

Dark chocolate lovers

If you’re looking for a snack with a pronounced cocoa flavour for the autumn half-term, you can choose a currant bun and dark chocolate separately. The cocoa percentage applies to the chocolate, not the currant bun.

Families planning snacks in advance

If you’re planning several snack times, it’s useful to compare the number of currant buns in each pack and the storage advice. Albert Heijn and PLUS state that their described varieties can be frozen at home on the day of purchase.

Shoppers comparing labels

If you specifically want a wholemeal currant bun, check the product description and compare the fibre per 100 g. Also read the ingredients and allergen information for both the bun and any chocolate.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide whether dark cocoa flavour, a supply for several snack times or the ingredients in the currant bun matter most to you. That will determine which label you’ll want to check first.

What to consider What to check Who is it important to?
Dark cocoa flavour Check the cocoa percentage on a separate chocolate bar and read the allergen information for both products. If a pronounced cocoa flavour is my main priority, I’d rather choose a suitable bar myself than rely on the word ‘dark’ on a currant bun. This is the top priority for around 30% of consumers.
Stocking up and storage Compare the number of buns and follow the storage or freezing advice on the pack you choose. If I’m planning snacks for different days of the holiday, I want to know how many buns to buy and when to use them. Planning is the top priority for around 40% of consumers.
Wholemeal and labelling Look for the wholemeal label, compare fibre per 100 g and read the ingredients and allergen information. When the ingredients determine my choice, I want to be able to compare the nutritional information and know what I’m buying. Around 30% of consumers prioritise checking the label.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming ‘dark’ means there’s cocoa in the currant bun

    The currant buns described by Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS are raisin and currant buns. The bar described by Albert Heijn as containing at least 85% cocoa is a separate product.

    If you want cocoa in the bun itself, check the product description and ingredients list. Otherwise, make a deliberate choice to pair a currant bun with dark chocolate as two separate products.

  • Judging whether a currant bun is wholemeal by its colour

    Albert Heijn states that its described wholemeal variety contains 6,1 g of fibre per 100 g, compared with 2,8 g for the described white Jumbo variety and 3,3 g for the PLUS variety. The wording on the pack is a more reliable guide than appearance.

    Check that the description explicitly says wholemeal and always compare nutritional values on the same basis, such as per 100 g.

  • Only checking the currant bun’s allergen information

    If you’re having chocolate separately with your snack, you need to consider the ingredients of both products. The described Albert Heijn Delicata bar contains soya and warns that it may contain, among other things, milk and nuts.

    Read both current labels before serving the products together, especially if allergens are important to your choice.

  • Assuming the salt is iodised without checking the label

    The type of salt used can vary between currant buns. According to Brood.net, iodine-containing baker’s salt is used under an agreement; the product category alone won’t tell you what’s in a specific bun.

    Check the ingredients list for your chosen currant bun if the type of salt used is relevant to your purchase.

Brands and shops to consider

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn describes a wholemeal raisin and currant bun, and also sells a separate Delicata bar with at least 85% cocoa solids.

  • The described currant bun contains 6,1 g of fibre per 100 g, comes in a pack of four and can be frozen on the day of purchase, according to the product advice.
  • The chocolate isn’t part of the currant bun. Check the allergen information for both products if you’re combining them; according to Albert Heijn, the described currant bun is only available in store.

Jumbo

Jumbo describes a pack of six white wheat, raisin and currant buns.

  • The product information states that it contains 29,6% raisins, 6,1% currants and 2,8 g of fibre per 100 g.
  • This isn’t a confirmed cocoa currant bun. The described variety contains wheat and milk; also read the warnings about possible allergens.

PLUS

PLUS describes a pack of eight currant buns, ideal if you’re planning several snack times.

  • PLUS says you can freeze this variety at home on the day of purchase and should use it within a month.
  • The described white wheat, raisin and currant bun has no confirmed cocoa content. Check the ingredients and allergen information on the pack.

ALDI

ALDI describes a pack of six wheat buns with raisins and currants.

  • The number of buns is clearly stated, making it easy to choose a pack for several snack times.
  • Check the nutritional information, ingredients and allergen information on the pack if these affect your choice; don’t assume a cocoa content from the product category.

Lidl

Lidl has product pages for currant buns and mini raisin and currant buns.

  • The standard and mini sizes give shoppers two pack types to consider when choosing portions.
  • Check the label for your chosen variety for ingredients, nutritional values, allergens and any cocoa; the size alone won’t tell you any of this.

Dark chocolate to pair separately

These two Joybuy products are chocolate bars for anyone who wants to pair a currant bun with dark chocolate. Neither is a currant bun; choose your bun separately and check the labels of both products.

Lindt Excellence 85% Cocoa dark chocolate, 100 g

Lindt Excellence 85% Cocoa dark chocolate, 100 g

For anyone who wants chocolate with a stated cocoa percentage to pair with a separately chosen currant bun. This bar contains 85% cocoa and isn’t a ready-made currant bun snack; check the allergen information on both packs.

View at Joybuy
Lindt Excellence 78% Cocoa dark chocolate, 100 g

Lindt Excellence 78% Cocoa dark chocolate, 100 g

For anyone who wants to pair a currant bun with a separate bar with a stated cocoa percentage. This variety contains 78% cocoa, compared with 85% in the other Lindt bar shown; the percentage alone won’t tell you how you’ll find the combination. Check both labels here too.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Does a currant bun described as ‘dark’ also contain cocoa?

Not unless cocoa or chocolate is listed for that specific product. The described raisin and currant buns from Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS have no confirmed cocoa content; for another variety, check the product description and ingredients list.

How do I choose dark chocolate to go with a currant bun?

Check the stated cocoa percentage and choose your currant bun separately, based on your preferred type and size. Then read the ingredients and allergen information for both products: the bar’s cocoa percentage doesn’t apply to the whole snack.

Can I freeze currant buns in advance for the autumn half-term?

According to their product advice, the described Albert Heijn and PLUS varieties can be frozen at home on the day of purchase. PLUS says to use them within a month of freezing at home; for another pack, follow the storage advice on its label.

How can I tell whether a currant bun contains iodised salt?

Check the ingredients list for the specific currant bun and look for the type of salt used, such as iodised salt or baker’s salt. Don’t rely on the product category alone: according to Brood.net, the use of iodine-containing baker’s salt is based on an agreement.