Advent planners with freezer space
If you want to hand out currant buns on different days, storage and freezing instructions matter more than pack size alone. Albert Heijn says its 10-pack can be frozen at home on the day of purchase.
Who is this choice for?
Sharing with a small group
If you’re sharing them on one occasion and don’t want too many left over, you could consider a pack of 6. Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS each list currant buns in this pack size.
Shoppers checking allergens
If someone eating with you needs to watch what they eat, check the label on your chosen pack before handing the buns out. The products described from Albert Heijn and Jumbo list wheat and milk, among other ingredients; information can vary by product.
What should you look for when choosing?
For a single get-together or a series of Advent days, decide what matters most to you: having enough buns, storage, a suitable portion size or the ingredients. Then choose a pack that meets your needs.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Quantity and occasions | Count how many buns you need for each occasion and compare packs of 6, 8 and 10. | If I’m sharing with a group, I want enough buns without having lots left over. For around 33% of consumers, having the right quantity is the priority. |
| Storage between Advent days | Check the use-by date and whether the product can be frozen on the day you buy it. | If I’m handing out treats on different days, I don’t want to have to use all the buns at once. Around 27% of consumers give storage top priority. |
| Portion size | Compare the regular and any mini sizes, and check whether the size you want is available. | For a small treat, I want to know how big each bun is. Portion size matters most to around 20% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the current ingredients list, allergen information and any warnings about possible traces. | If someone eating with me needs to avoid an ingredient, I want to know what’s in this particular pack. For around 20% of consumers, the label comes first. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming one fresh pack will last for every Advent day
A pack of 8 or 10 won’t automatically cover your plans over several weeks. Use-by dates and storage advice depend on the product you choose.
Count how many occasions you’re planning for and buy more as needed. Only freeze products if the instructions allow it, and do so at the specified time.
Buns stored for too long or incorrectly may lose their quality or need to be thrown away.
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Relying only on the online ingredients list
Ingredients and allergens can vary between products or change. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority stresses the importance of allergen information on the labels of prepacked foods.
Check the physical pack before handing out the currant buns, even if you’ve already read the product page.
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Planning around a mini size without checking availability
Jumbo lists its 9-pack of Mini Wholemeal Raisin and Currant Buns as no longer available in its online range. A size you’ve seen before may not be a reliable basis for planning your calendar.
Before you plan, check which portion size and pack you can actually buy.
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Assuming all currant buns contain iodised baker’s salt
According to NBC / brood.net, using iodine-enriched baker’s salt is not a legal requirement in the Netherlands. So a general assumption won’t tell you what’s in a particular pack.
Read the current ingredients list if you want to know what type of salt is used in the currant buns you’ve chosen.
Brands to consider
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn lists raisin and currant buns in packs of 6, as well as an Extra Long Fresh variant in a 10-pack.
- For its 10-pack, Albert Heijn says the buns can be frozen at home on the day of purchase.
- Check the date and storage instructions on the pack you buy; even a larger pack needs a plan for any buns left over.
Jumbo
Jumbo lists a standard pack of 6 Raisin and Currant Buns.
- Six buns could be just right for sharing on one smaller occasion.
- Jumbo lists its separate 9-pack of mini wholemeal buns as no longer available in its online range.
PLUS
PLUS lists currant buns in packs of 6, as well as a Long-Lasting Fresh variant in an 8-pack.
- For its 8-pack, PLUS says the buns can be frozen at home on the day of purchase.
- Check the storage advice for each product: for the 6-pack, PLUS says to store in a cool, dry, dark place.
Currant buns at Joybuy
Related products coming soon.
Frequently asked questions
Is one pack of currant buns enough for a 24-day Advent calendar?
Not if you want to hand out one currant bun every day: even the 10-pack described here doesn’t contain enough. Plan to buy more than once, or freeze suitable buns on the day of purchase, following the instructions on the pack.
How should I store currant buns for different days?
Follow the storage advice and use-by date on the pack you’ve chosen. Some of the products described can be frozen at home on the day of purchase. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends storing bread in the freezer for around one month and notes that its quality may decline after that.
Which allergens should I check in currant buns?
Check the allergen information on the current pack, particularly for wheat and milk in the products described from Albert Heijn and Jumbo. Also check the other ingredients and any warnings about possible traces for the specific product.
Is iodised baker’s salt a legal requirement in Dutch currant buns?
No. According to NBC / brood.net, using iodine-enriched baker’s salt is not a legal requirement in the Netherlands. To find out whether a particular product contains iodised salt, check the ingredients list on that pack.