If you want to give each guest an individual bun at a garden party, a bag of loose currant buns is ideal. For generous pieces on a platter, consider a larger bun or a partly sliced loaf, although these product types don’t guarantee thick slices. Before buying, check how the product is sliced and read the ingredients, especially if any guests have allergies.
A larger bun that you slice yourself, or a partly sliced loaf, could suit this way of serving. ALDI describes its Drentse bol as partly sliced, but doesn’t specify the thickness of the slices. Also check that the ingredients are suitable for what you want to serve.
With individual currant buns, each guest can take their own. The number of buns in a bag is more useful for planning than any indication of slice thickness: PLUS lists eight in its standard pack, while Lidl lists six.
If a guest has a food allergy or specific ingredient requirements, check the information on the exact pack you choose. PLUS lists wheat, rye and milk among the ingredients in its giant currant and raisin buns.
First decide whether you want to serve slices on a platter or hand out individual buns. Then compare the ingredients and work out how many you’ll need for your garden party.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who does this matter most to? |
|---|---|---|
| Generous portions | Check whether you can slice a larger bun yourself or buy a partly sliced loaf. Look at the actual cut and ingredients; the shape doesn’t guarantee a particular slice thickness. | If I want to serve pieces on a platter, I’d like to know in advance how large I can make them. Portion size is the top priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Individual portions | Compare the number of buns in each bag with the number of guests. Don’t choose a larger bun just because the pack is bigger. | If guests can help themselves to a bun, there’s no need for me to slice or divide anything. Around 25% of consumers say that ease of serving is their top priority. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the current ingredients and allergen information on the exact pack you’ve chosen. For unpackaged products, ask the seller for the relevant information. | If a guest needs to avoid an ingredient, I want to know exactly what I’m putting on the table. This check matters most to around 25% of consumers. |
| Quantity and storage | Choose the number of bags to suit your guest list, and follow the storage advice for your chosen product if you’re buying in advance. | If I’m not sure how many people will come, I want to be able to store any leftover buns appropriately. Around 17% of consumers put planning and storing portions first. |
A larger bun or partly sliced loaf could work well for generous portions, but the description doesn’t tell you how thick the slices are. ALDI’s partly sliced Drentse bol, for example, has no stated slice thickness.
Check the cut on the packaging and look at the product in store if a particular thickness is important.
The name ‘currant bun’ doesn’t tell you what other ingredients it contains. Some listed varieties also contain milk ingredients, as well as grains, and product information can vary between varieties.
Read the current packaging before buying and keep it available when serving. For unpackaged buns, ask for allergen information.
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bread dries out in the fridge. This is worth bearing in mind if you’re buying more buns for the garden party than you’ll serve straight away.
Follow the storage advice on the packaging. PLUS says its eight-bun pack can be frozen at home on the day of purchase and used within one month.
The product page for AH Bakkersbol krent describes an eight-bun pack and provides ingredients and allergen information.
Jumbo has a product page for a six-pack of raisin and currant buns, with ingredients and allergen information.
PLUS lists both a bag of eight standard currant buns and a bag of four giant currant and raisin buns.
ALDI lists six-packs of raisin and currant buns, four-packs of giant raisin buns and a 700 g partly sliced Drentse bol.
Lidl lists currant buns in a six-pack as an option for individual portions.
Read the current ingredients and allergen information on the packaging of the product you’re buying. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains how allergens are listed on labels for prepacked foods. For unpackaged products, you can ask the seller for information before buying. Don’t rely on the name ‘currant bun’ alone.
You can, as long as the storage advice on your chosen pack allows it. PLUS says its eight-bun pack can be frozen at home on the day of purchase and used within one month. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bread dries out in the fridge.
You can’t tell from the type of product alone, so check the ingredients list for the bun you’ve chosen. Iodised salt is listed, for example, in the eight-bun pack mentioned by Albert Heijn and the six-bun pack from Jumbo.
