For a small international food night, a pack of four standard currant buns may be a better fit than a bag of six if you plan to serve them all at once. Check the portion size too: four giant buns are not the same as four standard ones. If you opt for a larger bag to enjoy later, check the freezing instructions on that pack and read the ingredients and allergen information if you’re sharing the food.
If only a few people are joining you, you may not want to open a bag of six straight away. Albert Heijn lists four Extra Long Fresh wholemeal raisin and currant buns per pack; the standard packs from Jumbo and PLUS included in this comparison contain six. Be sure to compare the size of the buns before deciding how many you need.
A bag of six could be a good choice if you already know what you’ll do with the extra buns. The product pages for the standard six-packs from AH and PLUS say you can freeze them at home on the day of purchase and use them within one month. Check the instructions again for the pack you buy.
For a shared meal, fibre, ingredients and allergens may matter more than the number of buns in the pack. AH’s Extra Long Fresh wholemeal version lists 6.1 g of fibre per 100 g. The AH, Jumbo and PLUS varieties described also contain wheat or gluten and milk ingredients, so check the label on the pack you choose.
Decide how many buns you want to serve and whether you can freeze any leftovers straight away. Then check the portion size and label for each pack.
| What to consider | What to look for | Who it’s for |
|---|---|---|
| A suitable quantity | Compare the number of buns with the portion size or total weight. AH lists four buns weighing 75 g each for its Extra Long Fresh wholemeal version; ALDI’s pack of four contains giant buns. | If I’m serving a small group, I don’t want to open more standard buns than we’re likely to eat. Getting the quantity right is the top priority for around 40% of shoppers. |
| Storing leftovers | Check whether the exact pack can be frozen at home, which day you should freeze it and how long you can keep the buns for afterwards. | A bag of six works for me if I can freeze the leftover buns straight away for later. Around 30% of shoppers say this storage option is their main priority. |
| Fibre and allergens | Compare the fibre content per 100 g and read the current ingredients and allergen information, including any warnings about cross-contamination. | When other people are eating too, I want to know what the buns contain first; the fibre content may also influence my choice. The label is the top priority for around 30% of shoppers. |
Four giant buns aren’t directly comparable with four standard ones. The number of buns alone doesn’t tell you how much you’ll have for the table.
As well as the type of product, check the total weight or portion size if it’s listed. AH lists its Extra Long Fresh wholemeal buns at 75 g each; you’ll need to assess the quantity of ALDI’s giant buns separately.
Freezing instructions vary by product. The standard six-packs from AH and PLUS say they can be frozen at home on the day of purchase; AH’s separate frozen version should not be refrozen after defrosting.
Before buying, read the storage instructions for the exact pack you’ve chosen and plan to freeze it at the recommended time.
The AH, Jumbo and PLUS varieties described list wheat or gluten and milk ingredients. Some products also mention potential cross-contamination allergens.
If your guests need to avoid certain ingredients, check the current ingredients and allergen information. If necessary, choose a separate alternative that meets their needs.
A notice in the Dutch Government Gazette dated 28 October 2008 describes an agreement on the use of baker’s salt. According to NBC, using iodine-containing baker’s salt is not a legal requirement.
If the iodine information matters to your choice, check the ingredients list on the currant buns you’re planning to buy rather than relying on a general assumption.
Offers both standard packs of six raisin and currant buns and a four-pack of Extra Long Fresh wholemeal buns. The latter is especially worth considering if you’re looking for fewer buns for a small group.
The Jumbo Raisin and Currant Buns described come in a standard pack of six.
Offers packs of six and eight currant buns. Compare the number of buns with what you need for the evening and how you can store any leftovers.
Lidl lists a bag of six currant buns as an in-store product.
Offers standard packs of six raisin and currant buns, as well as separate four-packs of giant raisin buns.
For currant buns, it’s better to compare the number of buns and the portion size than to search for ‘half loaf’. AH lists four buns in its Extra Long Fresh wholemeal version; ALDI also has a pack of four, but these are giant buns. That difference could matter if you’re feeding a small group.
According to their product information, you can do this with the standard six-packs from AH and PLUS, as long as you freeze them at home on the day of purchase and use them within one month. Check the instructions for the exact pack. AH’s separate frozen version should not be refrozen after defrosting.
Read the ingredients and allergen information on the pack you’ve chosen before serving it. The AH, Jumbo and PLUS varieties described list wheat or gluten and milk ingredients; some also mention potential cross-contamination allergens. Don’t assume a product is suitable based on its name or the number of buns in the pack.
Don’t assume that every Dutch currant bun contains iodised baker’s salt. A notice in the Dutch Government Gazette dated 28 October 2008 describes an agreement on baker’s salt, and according to NBC, using iodine-containing baker’s salt is not a legal requirement. If the iodine information matters to your choice, check the ingredients list on the pack you’ve chosen.
