Choose a box of chocolates when the focus is on a Christmas gesture and handing out treats straight away; currant buns are better for a planned meal around the table. For both, check the allergen information for the product you choose, and make sure the quantity and storage instructions suit your party. Don’t assume that currant buns contain iodised baker’s salt.
A box of individually wrapped chocolates is ready to hand out, with no preparation needed. Just check that the box you choose does contain individually wrapped portions; Jumbo, for example, states that its merci Chocolade Assorti Doos does.
Currant buns are a good choice for a set group who want to eat together. Think about the number of buns and when to store them: the PLUS currant buns we looked at are sold in packs of six, and PLUS says they can be frozen at home on the day of purchase.
The type of product alone doesn’t tell you whether a treat is suitable for a guest. Both the currant buns and chocolate assortments we looked at contain allergens. For a pre-packed product, read the current label; for an unwrapped bakery product, ask for the allergen information.
Suitable for: a small gift or handing out treats, provided the pack you choose contains the portions and flavours you want.
Consider: an assortment may contain several allergens; if you’re buying for a group that includes people with allergies, the exact box matters.
Suitable for: a planned occasion when you’re putting buns out for a group you know.
Consider: plan when to buy and how to store them based on the date of your party; currant buns can also contain allergens.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Gifts and handing out treats | Check the number of portions and whether the chocolates are individually wrapped. | If I want to give guests a little something to take away, I look for a pack I can hand out straight away. For around 27% of consumers, the convenience of giving or handing out a gift comes first. |
| Allergens | Read the current label on the exact pack, and look out for warnings about possible cross-contamination. | If a guest has a food allergy, I want to know what I can offer them. For around 33% of consumers, checking allergens is the main priority. |
| Storage and planning | Compare the party date with the best-before date and storage instructions; for currant buns, check whether and when they can be frozen. | If I’m buying well before the party, I want to be able to store the treat as instructed on the pack. Storage planning is the biggest consideration for around 20% of consumers. |
| Ingredients in currant buns | Look for iodised salt or baker’s salt in the ingredients list, or ask the baker. | If the type of salt used affects my food choices, I want to check which kind is in the currant buns I choose. For around 20% of consumers, checking these ingredients comes first. |
The Voedingscentrum says that using baker’s salt when baking bread is not compulsory. Seeing iodised salt in the ingredients list for one product doesn’t tell you anything about other currant buns.
Check the pack you’re buying, or ask the baker which type of salt has been used.
The merci Chocolade Assorti Doos described by Jumbo contains milk, soya and nuts, among other ingredients, and also warns that other allergens may be present. The currant buns we looked at contain allergens too.
Ask which allergens are relevant to your guests, then check the label on the exact treat you’re offering. If necessary, keep a separately checked alternative aside.
The party date and the instructions on the pack determine how you can store the buns. For the currant buns we looked at, PLUS says they can be frozen at home on the day of purchase.
Choose the quantity to suit your guests and follow the storage instructions on the pack you’ve chosen. Store chocolate as directed on the label, away from heat.
AH Rozijnen krentenbollen are a pre-packed option for a planned meal.
Jumbo lists chocolate gifts, including a 250 g merci assortment box.
PLUS lists currant buns in packs of six and eight.
Lidl lists a bag of six currant buns and, separately, pralines.
ALDI lists packs of six raisin currant buns and a separate crunchy chocolate mix.
These chocolate products are suitable for handing out or sharing at a Christmas party. If you’re looking for something for several guests, compare the portion format and allergens; if you’re planning a meal with buns, currant buns are a different option.
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For anyone looking to share a box of chocolates in different flavours, the product description mentions six small bars of milk and dark chocolate. If you want to hand the bars out individually, check whether they are individually wrapped. The product information lists milk, egg, soya, almonds and hazelnuts, among other ingredients; if you have allergies, read the current label.
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A box with seven flavours for anyone looking for a small chocolate gift. Check the portion format if you need to hand out each chocolate individually. The product information lists milk, nuts, soya and wheat, among other ingredients; if you have allergies, check the current label on the box you choose.
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A chocolate assortment to share at a party, with different flavours according to the product description. If you need to hand out the pieces, check whether they are individually wrapped. The product information lists milk, nuts, wheat and soya, among other ingredients; if you have allergies, also check the warnings on the current packaging.
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For handing out individual portions, the product description lists nine individually wrapped strawberry-flavoured pieces, each weighing 11,6 g. This is a chocolate wafer treat, not an assortment box. If you have allergies, check the full information on the current packaging; store the product in a dry place, out of direct sunlight and below 28 °C, as stated in the product information.
No. The Voedingscentrum says that using baker’s salt when baking is not compulsory. For pre-packed currant buns, check whether iodised salt or baker’s salt is listed in the ingredients; for unwrapped buns, ask the baker.
Before offering them, check the allergen information for the exact box of chocolates or pack of currant buns. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergen information for pre-packed products is shown on the label. For unwrapped bakery products, ask for the information and also look out for warnings about possible cross-contamination that may be relevant to your guest.
Yes, as long as you can follow the storage instructions for the pack you choose. For the currant buns we looked at, PLUS says you can freeze them at home on the day of purchase and use them within one month. Remember to defrost them before the party.
Follow the best-before and storage information on the packaging. For its 400 g merci Finest Selection, Joybuy recommends storing it in a cool, dry place, away from sunlight, heat and moisture; don’t assume that the same product-specific instructions apply to every box of chocolates.
