If you want an individual slice for savoury toppings, look for sliced currant loaf; a currant bun is a whole bun that you’ll need to cut open yourself. Even a sliced product isn’t automatically thick or suitable for substantial toppings. So check the cut and the current label for the exact product.
If you want room for cheese, egg or hummus, first distinguish between a whole bun, an individual slice and a loaf of currant bread. All these formats are available, but the shape alone won’t tell you how thick or firm a slice is.
A whole bun or pre-packed slice requires less cutting than an unsliced loaf. Also check the number of pieces, portion size and storage instructions for the product you choose.
If ingredients, allergens or nutritional information matter to your choice, compare the exact products rather than just their shape. Check the information on the packaging again when you buy.
Choose this: if you want an individual slice without having to cut a loaf yourself. Albert Heijn lists its sliced currant loaf in packs of five; Jumbo offers currant loaf in five slices.
Bear in mind: these descriptions don’t confirm how thick the slices are or how well they hold up under substantial toppings.
Choose this: if you’d rather buy a loaf than individually packaged slices. ALDI describes its Drentse bol as partially sliced currant bread.
Bear in mind: partially sliced doesn’t mean thickly sliced; check how much cutting the exact loaf still requires.
Choose these: if a whole bun suits your breakfast better than a slice of bread.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to cut a bun open yourself to add toppings; it isn’t a pre-sliced piece of bread.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who should consider this? |
|---|---|---|
| Cut and toppings | Check whether the product is described as a slice, slices or partially sliced. Ask about the thickness if it’s important for your toppings. | If you want to pile savoury toppings onto a generous slice, you’ll want to know exactly how it’s cut. Around 50% of consumers say this is their main priority. |
| Portion and storage | Compare the number of pieces, the weight per portion and the storage or freezing instructions for the exact product. | If you want to grab a portion quickly or save some for another day, the packaging matters. Convenience comes first for around 30% of consumers. |
| Label | Check the ingredients, allergens and nutritional information, including fibre and salt per 100 g, on the current packaging. | If you have an allergy or are comparing nutritional values, the label matters more than choosing between a bun and a slice. This is the top priority for around 20% of consumers. |
A bun is a different shape from a pre-sliced piece of bread. A high overall weight also tells you nothing about the thickness of individual slices.
Look for a clear description of the cut, and check the slice thickness before buying if it matters for your toppings.
According to the Dutch Bakery Centre, the use of iodised baker’s salt isn’t a legal requirement. So the product category alone can’t tell you which ingredients are in a particular currant bun or sliced currant loaf.
Check the ingredients list for the exact product if the type of salt used matters to your choice.
Nutritional values apply to the exact product. Albert Heijn lists 6.1 g of fibre per 100 g for its wholemeal raisin and currant buns; Jumbo lists 3.3 g per 100 g for its white currant bread. These figures alone don’t tell you anything about slice thickness or suitability for toppings.
Also compare the other nutritional information, ingredients and allergens for the products you’re considering.
Ingredients and warnings can change. This is especially important if you need to avoid a particular ingredient.
Check the packaging for the exact product again when you buy, and ask for allergen information if you’re buying unpackaged bread.
Useful for comparing pre-packed slices of currant loaf with wholemeal raisin and currant buns.
Useful for comparing currant bread with sliced currant loaf.
Useful for comparing currant loaf and currant buns, with ingredient and storage information for each product.
Useful for comparing partially sliced currant bread with individual raisin and currant buns.
No, you can’t tell from the product category. The Dutch Bakery Centre says that using iodised baker’s salt isn’t a legal requirement. Check the ingredients list for the specific product.
For a pre-packed product, check the ingredients and allergens on the current packaging. According to the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, labels on pre-packed food must clearly state what it contains. If you’re buying an unpackaged product, ask for allergen information before you buy.
Follow the storage instructions for the exact currant buns you buy. PLUS says its currant buns labelled ‘stays fresh for longer’ can be frozen at home on the day of purchase and should be used within one month; this advice doesn’t automatically apply to other products.
