Who is the bag for?

If you’re handing them out to a larger group

If currant buns make up a substantial part of the food, the main thing is having enough whole buns. PLUS sells a bag of eight, so count how many guests are likely to have one before you buy.

If you want to minimise leftovers

If you’re serving other snacks too, or the group is small, a bag of six may be a better fit. If you’re buying in advance or want to keep any leftover buns, check the storage and freezing instructions on the packaging you choose.

If you’re checking labels for your guests

If anyone has allergies or prefers wholemeal, the product name alone isn’t enough. Before serving, read the ingredients, allergen information and nutritional information on the bag you actually bought.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide how many portions you need, then choose a pack whose storage advice and labelling suit your group.

What to consider What to check before buying Who it matters to
Number of portions Compare the number of buns in the bag with the number of people eating. Also check whether they’re regular, mini or giant buns. If lots of guests want a whole currant bun, I don’t want to run short halfway through. Having enough portions to hand out is the top priority for around 30% of consumers.
Storage and leftovers Read the use-by date and check the storage or freezing instructions on the packaging. If I’m buying in advance or serving other snacks too, I want to know what I can do with any leftover buns. Around 30% of consumers prioritise minimising leftovers.
Label and nutritional information Check the ingredients, allergens and any may-contain warnings. If you prefer higher-fibre options, compare the wholemeal labelling and fibre content per 100 g. If any guests need to know about the ingredients, I want to be able to check what’s in each bag. For around 20% of consumers, checking the label is their main concern.
Choice of shop Before setting off, check that your chosen shop stocks the variety you want, especially if you need several bags. If I don’t want to visit several shops on Flag Day, the bag I’ve chosen needs to be available in time. Local availability is the main consideration for around 20% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming a large bag contains large buns

    Eight buns in a bag tells you how many whole buns you can hand out, but not how big each one is. That matters when you’re working out portions for a group.

    Check both the number of buns and the product variety; where possible, check the weight of each bun too.

  • Assuming every currant bun contains baker’s salt

    According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. So you can’t tell from the product category whether a bun contains baker’s salt or iodised salt.

    If the type of salt used matters to you, read the ingredients list on the pack you’ve chosen.

  • Guessing the allergens from the name ‘currant bun’

    The varieties reviewed list ingredients including wheat or gluten and milk; any may-contain warnings vary by product. An earlier product description is no substitute for checking the label on the bag you’ve bought.

    Read the label just before serving, and keep the packaging handy for guests who want to check the information themselves.

  • Expecting the same bag to be available in every shop

    A product listing doesn’t mean your local shop stocks the variety you want. For example, Lidl lists the currant buns reviewed as available in store only.

    Check with your chosen shop shortly before setting off, especially if you need more than one bag.

    If your preferred variety is unavailable, you may have to choose another shop or a different bag size at the last minute.

Brands and shops to consider

PLUS

PLUS sells currant buns in bags of six and eight.

  • The ‘Lekker lang lekker’ variety contains eight buns. PLUS says you can freeze them at home on the day you buy them.
  • The eight-bun variety isn’t labelled as wholemeal. The label lists wheat, rye, gluten, milk and lactose; check for may-contain warnings too.

Jumbo

Jumbo sells a pack of six raisin and currant buns, which was included in our review.

  • The product information lists 2,8 g of fibre per 100 g, making it easy to compare with another bag.
  • This is a white wheat variety containing wheat, gluten and milk; don’t consider it a wholemeal product.

ALDI

ALDI lists a pack of six raisin and currant buns for in-store purchase.

  • Six whole buns make it easy to match the bag size to the number of people eating.
  • Check the packaging in store for ingredients, allergens and nutritional information.

Lidl

Lidl lists a bag of six oven-fresh currant buns, available in store only.

  • A pack of six is an alternative if eight buns are more than you want to hand out.
  • Check the label in store for ingredients, allergens and nutritional information.

Albert Heijn

The AH Extra lang lekker raisin and currant buns included in our review are a wholemeal option in a pack of four.

  • The product information lists 6,1 g of fibre per 100 g.
  • Four buns may not be enough for a larger group. Albert Heijn says this variety is available in store only.

Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Does every currant bun contain iodine because of the baker’s salt?

No, you can’t assume that every currant bun does: according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. Check the packaging to see whether baker’s salt or iodised salt is listed among the ingredients.

Can I freeze currant buns before Flag Day?

For the AH and PLUS varieties reviewed, the product instructions say you can freeze them at home on the day you buy them and should use them within one month. Follow the instructions on the specific bag you buy.

Which allergens should I check for my guests?

At the very least, check the allergens present and any may-contain warnings on the packaging you’ve bought. The products reviewed often list wheat or gluten and milk, but the exact ingredients and warnings vary by variety.

Which bag should I choose if I want wholemeal currant buns?

Choose a variety that’s clearly labelled as wholemeal and compare the fibre content per 100 g on the label. The AH Extra lang lekker variety reviewed is wholemeal and lists 6,1 g of fibre per 100 g, but contains four buns per bag; check that this gives you enough for your group.