Choose regular currant buns if you want to offer each guest a whole bun, or mini currant buns if you’re serving other nibbles too. A larger bun is a good choice when it’s going to be a bigger part of your coffee break. Then compare the number of buns in each pack and check the current packaging for allergen and storage information. Don’t assume that every currant bun contains baker’s salt.
You want to know how many whole buns you can serve before choosing your packs. Depending on the size of the buns, PLUS lists packs of 4, 6, 8 or 9, so the number alone doesn’t tell you what portion you’ll be offering.
If you’re also serving other pastries or nibbles, you may want guests to help themselves to a smaller portion. PLUS lists 9 mini currant and raisin buns per pack; Lidl also sells mini wholemeal raisin buns, a different product that shouldn’t automatically be counted as a currant bun.
If guests have allergies or questions about the ingredients, you’ll want to know what’s in the pack you’re actually serving. So check the current packaging. If you have questions about iodine, also look for iodised salt or baker’s salt in the ingredients.
First decide whether you want to serve whole buns, smaller portions or larger buns. Then you can work out how many packs you’ll need and which pack size is right for your guests.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Portions and bun size | Compare the number of buns per pack and whether they’re labelled mini, regular or giant. | If I want to offer every guest a whole bun, the pack needs to suit the group size; portion planning would come first for around 37% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the current ingredients list and allergen information, including any statement about possible traces of allergens. | If I have guests who need to avoid certain ingredients, I want to know what’s in this particular pack; this would be the first concern for around 27% of consumers. |
| Storage and preparation | Check the storage instructions and whether the specific pack can be frozen according to the label. | I prefer to buy in advance, but want to be able to store the buns as directed on the packaging until the coffee break; this would be most important for around 18% of consumers. |
| Availability in store | Check that the size you’ve chosen is available at the shop where you do your food shopping. | If I’m buying for a group, I don’t want to rely on a pack I can’t find in store; availability would come first for around 18% of consumers. |
Four giant buns, six or eight regular buns and nine mini buns won’t give you the same number of portions. If you’re serving several different nibbles, the size may matter more than the number of buns.
First decide how large you want the portions to be, then work out how many packs of that size you’ll need.
According to the Voedingscentrum, bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. So the type of product alone won’t tell you which salt was used in a particular bun.
Check the ingredients on the packaging for iodised salt or baker’s salt, or ask your baker.
Ingredients and statements about possible traces of allergens can vary between varieties. The product name alone isn’t enough to answer your guests’ questions.
Keep the current packaging to hand while you’re serving the buns. If you know someone has an allergy, arrange a suitable alternative separately.
The Albert Heijn product page we checked says that the currant buns in question have been discontinued; Lidl says its currant buns are available in store. So a product you find online won’t necessarily fit your shopping plans.
Check shortly before your coffee break that your chosen pack is available at your local shop. If it isn’t, choose another size that works with your serving plan.
PLUS lists regular currant buns in packs of 6 and 8, mini currant and raisin buns in packs of 9, and giant currant and raisin buns in packs of 4.
Jumbo lists raisin currant buns in a pack of 6.
ALDI lists raisin currant buns in packs of 6 and giant raisin buns in packs of 4. These are different types of bun, so keep them separate when planning portions.
Lidl lists currant buns in packs of 6, as well as 360 g packs of mini wholemeal raisin buns.
The page we checked for AH raisin currant buns describes a pack of 6 and lists iodised salt.
Choose based on the portion you want to serve: a regular bun for a whole portion, mini currant buns for smaller portions, or larger buns if you want the bun to be a bigger part of the coffee break. For example, PLUS lists regular packs of 6 or 8, mini buns in packs of 9 and giant currant and raisin buns in packs of 4. Work out how many packs you need only after choosing the size.
You can if the packaging for your chosen currant buns says they can be frozen. For its pack of 6, PLUS says to freeze the buns on the day of purchase and use them within one month. For any other pack, follow its own current instructions.
Read the ingredients and allergen information on the current packaging for every variety you’re serving. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority highlights the allergen information on the label of pre-packed foods. Don’t rely on the product name alone or on a previous purchase.
No, you can’t tell from the type of product alone. The Voedingscentrum says that bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. Check whether the ingredients on the specific pack list iodised salt or baker’s salt, or ask your baker.
Use a product page to choose a size, but check availability and the current packaging when you buy. The Albert Heijn page we checked says that a particular pack has been discontinued, while Lidl says its currant buns are available in store. Check the ingredients and allergens on the pack you’re actually serving.
