Who might find this choice useful?

Fans of a bold cocoa flavour

If you want to choose dark chocolate for your guests, check the stated cocoa percentage rather than relying on words such as ‘dark’ or ‘extra dark’.

Hosts who want to share

For a garden party, consider how many portions you can serve and whether you can store or freeze the currant buns in advance, following the instructions on the packaging.

Shoppers who need to check ingredients

If your guests need to check allergens or the type of bread, look at both the bun and the chocolate. The product information for the currant buns discussed here lists wheat and milk, among other ingredients; always follow the information on the current packaging.

What should you look for when choosing?

First, decide how important a clearly stated cocoa flavour is to you. Then choose the right bun size for your guests and read the labels on both the buns and the chocolate before serving.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Rich cocoa flavour Read the cocoa percentage on the chocolate bar and check whether chocolate is actually in or on the bun, or served separately. I want to choose a recognisable dark chocolate element for my guests, rather than relying on the word ‘dark’. For around 40% of consumers, a clearly stated cocoa flavour comes first.
Portions and storage Decide whether whole, halved or mini buns will work best; if buying in advance, follow the storage and freezing instructions on the packaging you choose. If I’m serving several guests, I want to be able to divide the portions and store the buns appropriately. Portion size and party planning are top priorities for roughly 30% of consumers.
Ingredients and type of bread Check the allergens in both products and see whether the bun is a white or wholemeal variety. I want to know what’s in both the bun and the chocolate before serving, so guests can check the labels for themselves. For an estimated 30% of consumers, checking the ingredients is the top priority.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming ‘extra dark’ means a set cocoa percentage

    The Netherlands Nutrition Centre notes that words such as ‘bitter’ and ‘extra bitter’ do not, on their own, indicate a set cocoa percentage. So the description alone won’t tell you what percentage you’re serving.

    If the cocoa percentage is important to your choice, compare the figures stated on the chocolate packaging.

  • Mistaking a plain currant bun for a chocolate currant bun

    The raisin currant buns described by Jumbo and PLUS do not list chocolate among their ingredients. Serving a piece of dark chocolate alongside a bun does not make the bun itself a chocolate product.

    Read the ingredients list for the bun you choose, and present the bun and chocolate as two separate products when serving them together.

    Adding separate chocolate also takes time to prepare and serve the portions.

  • Only checking the bun’s label

    The bun and the chocolate bar may have different ingredients and allergen information. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, allergens in prepacked foods are clearly listed in the ingredients list.

    Check both packs just before serving and keep them available for guests who want to read the information.

  • Assuming every currant bun contains iodised salt

    Albert Heijn lists iodised salt in its Extra lang lekker raisin currant buns. That is a feature of this variety, not necessarily of every currant bun.

    If you want to check another bun, read the ingredients list on that specific pack.

Relevant brands and shops to explore

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn describes both wholemeal raisin currant buns and a Delicata bar with 70% cocoa solids: two separate products to consider for this way of serving.

  • The product information lets you check the bun’s ingredients and the bar’s cocoa percentage separately.
  • The wholemeal bun is not a chocolate currant bun; check the latest information on both packs when you buy.

Jumbo

Jumbo describes a pack of plain raisin currant buns and separately lists dark chocolate bars with stated cocoa percentages.

  • For the currant buns described, you can check the ingredients and pack size; you can compare chocolate bars by their stated percentages.
  • The ingredients list for the buns described does not include chocolate. Choose a bar as a separate element instead.

PLUS

PLUS describes regular, mini and giant currant and raisin buns, so you can choose a size to suit the way you want to serve them.

  • The packs described provide information about quantities and ingredients; the regular buns also include freezing instructions.
  • To add a rich cocoa flavour, you’ll need a separate chocolate product alongside the buns described here.

Dark chocolate as a separate element

These Joybuy products are chocolate bars to pair with separately chosen currant buns. They are not currant buns themselves, so remember to decide which buns and portions you want to serve at your party.

Lindt Excellence 78% Cacao, 100 g bar

Lindt Excellence 78% Cacao, 100 g

A bar with a stated cocoa percentage for anyone who wants to serve chocolate separately with currant buns. Before serving, check the allergen information on the packaging for both the bar and the buns.

View on Joybuy
Lindt Excellence 70% Cocoa Dark Chocolate, 100 g bar

Lindt Excellence 70% Cocoa Dark Chocolate, 100 g

A separate chocolate bar with a stated cocoa percentage to pair with currant buns. As with any combination, check the ingredients and allergens on both packs.

View on Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

Does ‘extra dark’ always mean the same cocoa percentage?

No. If you want a specific percentage, check the packaging rather than relying on the words ‘extra dark’. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre notes that ‘bitter’ and ‘extra bitter’ do not indicate a set cocoa percentage.

Can I serve these currant buns to guests who avoid gluten or milk?

The currant buns from Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS discussed here list wheat and milk, so don’t assume they’re suitable for guests who need to avoid these ingredients. Check the current packaging for both the bun you choose and the chocolate for ingredients, allergens and any warnings.

Can I buy currant buns in advance for a garden party?

Yes, as long as you follow the storage or freezing instructions on the packaging you choose. PLUS says to freeze its regular currant buns on the day of purchase and use them within one month; for other varieties, check the packaging.

Do all currant buns contain iodised salt?

Don’t assume they do. Albert Heijn lists iodised salt in its Extra lang lekker raisin currant buns, but that tells you nothing about the ingredients in another variety. Read the label on the bun you plan to buy.