If you’re buying currant buns for several occasions, first look for a variety with clear freezing instructions or a product sold frozen. For brunch, a larger bun with a stated fruit content may be more appealing, but still check that the storage advice suits your plans. Before buying, read the current label for ingredients, allergens and best-before information.
If you want to keep currant buns for several occasions, look for a pack with freezing instructions or choose a variety that’s already frozen. A label such as ‘keeps fresh for longer’ doesn’t, by itself, tell you how long you can freeze the buns for.
For brunch, a visit or a leisurely lunch, the size and stated filling may influence your choice. Also check the storage instructions if you won’t be using the whole pack at once.
If ingredients or allergens matter to you, check the current packaging before buying several bags. Also look at the nutritional information and check whether baker’s salt or iodised salt is listed if you want to compare these details.
First decide whether you mainly want to stock up on currant buns or serve them on a special occasion. Then check that the ingredients and storage instructions suit your plans.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Freezing and storage | Check whether the buns are already frozen or can be frozen at home, and follow the storage period and temperature shown on the packaging. | If I want to split the pack across several occasions, I need to know how to store the rest. Around 45% of consumers would say that being suitable for freezing is their main priority. |
| Fruit content and size | Compare the stated proportion of raisins and currants, the number of buns and the ingredients; check the size of each product. | For brunch, I’m looking for a bun with a filling and size that suit the occasion. For around 33% of consumers, this would be their first consideration. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients, allergen information and any ‘may contain’ warnings on the current label. | If several people will be sharing the stock, I want to know in advance whether the ingredients are suitable for them. For around 22% of consumers, label suitability would come first. |
That label doesn’t tell you how much fruit a currant bun contains or how to store it. A larger bun or an ingredient such as butter concentrate also won’t, on its own, answer your questions about freezing or allergens.
Compare the stated fruit content, size, ingredients and storage instructions with what you need for the occasion and for stocking up.
A longer shelf life outside the freezer isn’t the same as instructions for freezing at home. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that bread may become drier if it’s kept in the freezer for a long time.
Check the product instructions before buying. If home freezing is allowed, divide the buns into portions if needed and stick to the stated storage period.
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. So you can’t assume it’s present in every currant bun.
Check the ingredients list for baker’s salt or iodised salt, or ask about the ingredients if the buns are sold loose.
The product information reviewed from Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS lists wheat, and milk ingredients in some varieties. ‘May contain’ warnings can also vary from product to product.
Read the current label for the specific variety before buying a stock of buns for several people.
Albert Heijn sells both currant buns that are already frozen and a pack of ten Extra Long-Lasting raisin and currant buns.
PLUS sells a pack of eight currant buns with advice on freezing them at home, as well as a separate Korenlanders Giant variety for shoppers looking at fruit content and size.
Jumbo offers a pack of six raisin and currant buns, with product information about ingredients and nutritional values.
ALDI lists a pack of six raisin and currant buns.
Lidl lists a pack of six currant buns which, according to the product page, is only available in store.
Choose a variety whose packaging explicitly says it can be frozen, or a product that’s sold frozen. Albert Heijn lists a frozen pack of six; according to their product information, Albert Heijn’s Extra Long-Lasting variety and PLUS’s Long-Lasting variety can be frozen at home on the day of purchase. Follow the instructions on the packaging you choose.
Bread may become drier if it’s kept in the freezer for a long time, according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre. So follow the storage period for the currant buns and divide the pack into portions if needed.
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 ingredients list for the specific product or ask about it if the buns are sold loose.
The varieties reviewed from Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS are described as white wheat buns. For other varieties, don’t rely on the product name; check the ingredients list if the type of grain used matters to your choice.
Read the current label for each variety you choose, including the allergen information and any ‘may contain’ warnings. The product information reviewed from Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS lists wheat and, in some varieties, milk ingredients. Information for another product or updated packaging may differ.
