Choose a pack based on the number of guests and the portion size you want to serve. Packs of 8 or 10 regular currant buns let you give each person a whole bun, while mini buns make a smaller portion to enjoy with coffee. Before buying and serving, check the use-by date, storage instructions, ingredients and allergens for the pack you choose; a higher number of buns does not automatically mean more food per guest.
If you want to give everyone a regular bun without cutting any up, start by counting your guests. Albert Heijn lists a pack of 10 regular raisin and currant buns, while PLUS lists a pack of 8. Avoid buying more than you expect to need.
With coffee and other breakfast foods, a mini bun may be more practical than a regular one. PLUS lists a pack of 9 individually sized mini currant and raisin buns. Compare the weight too if the amount per guest matters.
If someone in your group needs to check allergens or ingredients before sharing food, keep the packaging to hand. The regular, mini and giant varieties described by Jumbo and PLUS list ingredients including wheat and milk; check the allergen information on the exact pack you buy.
For coffee in your hotel room, it’s not just the number of buns that determines whether a pack is suitable: mini, regular and giant buns are different portion sizes. Match the size to your guests, then consider whether you’ll be able to store any leftovers.
When to choose them: when each guest is having their own regular bun; PLUS lists a pack of 8, while Albert Heijn lists one of 10.
Consider: having more individual buns makes them easier to hand out, but doesn’t tell you the weight of each bun and could leave you with leftovers.
When to choose them: when you want to offer smaller portions with coffee; the PLUS pack mentioned contains 9 minis.
Consider: nine minis are not the same as nine regular portions. Compare the weight and nutritional information if the amount per guest matters.
When to choose them: when a smaller group would prefer a larger bun each; PLUS and Lidl list packs of 4.
Consider: four buns won’t be enough if more than four guests want one each. Check the product name too: a giant raisin bun isn’t necessarily a currant bun.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who should consider this? |
|---|---|---|
| Enough portions | Count the buns in the pack and choose a size that suits the number of guests who will each have their own portion. | If I want to offer everyone something of their own, the number of buns needs to suit the group. Having enough portions is the top priority for around 42% of consumers. |
| Storage and leftovers | Read the use-by and storage information. Only plan to freeze the buns if the label says you can and you have access to a freezer. | If there might be buns left over, I want to know what I can do with them after coffee. Avoiding leftovers is the main priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Check the ingredients list and allergen information on the pack you buy, including if you prefer wholemeal or have a question about iodised salt. | Before sharing food, I want to check that the ingredients suit what my guests can or want to eat. For around 25% of consumers, this check comes first. |
A large pack, a large bun and a high number of buns are not the same thing. A pack of 4 giant buns is quite different from a pack of 8 regular buns or 9 minis when you’re serving a group.
Count your guests, then compare the number of buns and their size on the packaging. Check the weight too if needed.
The Jumbo and PLUS varieties described list wheat and milk or lactose; some also mention possible traces of other allergens. A familiar product name is no substitute for checking the allergen information.
Read the current packaging before serving and leave it available for guests who want to check the ingredients themselves.
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, using baker’s salt when baking is not compulsory. So the fact that a currant bun is a type of bread doesn’t tell you which salt was used to make it.
If you want to check this ingredient, look for baker’s salt or iodised salt on the packaging rather than assuming it’s in every pack.
If not everyone is joining in, you may have buns left over. Storage advice varies by product, and freezing is only an option in a hotel room if you actually have access to a freezer.
Choose a suitable quantity and follow the storage and use-by information on the pack you buy. PLUS says its 8-pack can be frozen at home on the day of purchase; don’t assume the same advice applies to another pack.
The packs listed show the sizes you can compare. Then choose based on the information for the specific product, not just the brand name.
Under its AH Extra lang lekker name, Albert Heijn lists regular raisin and currant buns in packs of 10 and 6.
Jumbo describes a pack of 6 regular wheat-based raisin and currant buns.
PLUS lists packs of 6 and 8 regular currant buns, 9 mini currant and raisin buns, and 4 giant currant and raisin buns.
ALDI lists a pack of 6 regular raisin and currant buns and a pack of 4 giant raisin buns.
Lidl lists 6 regular currant buns per pack and a pack of 4 giant raisin and currant buns made with butter.
Work out how many guests want a bun each, then count the buns in the pack. For example, Albert Heijn lists 10 regular buns, PLUS lists 8 regular buns or 9 minis, and Lidl lists 4 giant buns. Only choose a larger quantity if you also want to offer extra portions.
Follow the instructions on the pack you buy and check whether you can meet the storage requirements in your hotel room. For its 6- and 8-packs, PLUS says to store the buns in a cool, dark place and freeze them at home on the day of purchase; you’ll need access to a freezer to freeze them.
Read the allergen information on the exact pack you’re going to serve. The regular, mini and giant varieties described by Jumbo and PLUS list ingredients including wheat and milk or lactose; some varieties also mention possible traces of other allergens.
No, don’t assume that every currant bun is made with baker’s salt. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that using baker’s salt when baking is not compulsory, so check the ingredients list for the product you choose to see whether it mentions baker’s salt or iodised salt.
