Soup-meal organiser
Wants to serve a soft, sweet accompaniment alongside savoury soup, and plans portions and the number of buns to suit the guests.
Who might enjoy a currant bun with pea soup?
Forward planner
Shops ahead of the meal and looks for a pack with storage or freezing advice that fits their plans.
Label-conscious eater
Checks the ingredients and allergens in the bun they choose, and compares nutritional information per 100 g or per portion where needed.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide how much sweetness you’d like to serve with the soup. Then check the filling, pack size and storage advice for the bun you’re planning to buy.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Portion size | Check the number of buns and the weight of each one; decide whether you’ll serve whole or half buns. | After a bowl of pea soup, I want to offer something sweet without everyone having to eat a whole bun. Around 33% of consumers put finding a suitable portion first. |
| Fruit filling | Compare the stated percentages of raisins and currants on the packs you’re considering. | For this meal, I want to be able to assess the fruit filling, rather than rely on a description such as ‘premium’. Around 25% of consumers prioritise the filling. |
| Storage | Check the date and storage advice; only freeze the buns as directed on the packaging. | If I shop in advance, I want to know whether the buns will keep until the day of the meal. Around 25% of consumers prioritise planning ahead. |
| Availability | Check whether the pack you want is available in store and whether the number of buns will suit your group. | When I’m shopping for several people, I need to be able to pick up the right amount in time. Availability is the main concern for around 17% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming ‘premium’ is a consistent measure of quality
The description doesn’t show how many raisins or currants a bun contains, and doesn’t tell you anything about its taste by itself.
Focus on what matters for this meal: a suitable portion, a stated fruit filling or useful storage advice. Compare that feature on the packaging.
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Choosing a white currant bun for its fibre
Fibre content varies from product to product. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre doesn’t include white bread in its Wheel of Five; a currant bun served with soup doesn’t automatically replace another bread choice.
If fibre is important to your choice, read the nutritional information for the variant you’re considering and compare values on the same basis, such as per 100 g.
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Assuming the ingredients are the same as on another pack
The Albert Heijn and Jumbo buns examined contain wheat and milk, among other ingredients. Ingredients and allergens can vary between variants or change when a product is reformulated. You’ll also need to check each product to see whether it uses baker’s salt.
Read the label on the pack you’re serving. For unwrapped buns, ask about the ingredients and the salt used.
Brands to consider
Albert Heijn huismerk
One of the variants examined was an Extra Long-Lasting pack of ten raisin and currant buns, suited to those who like to shop ahead.
- For this variant, Albert Heijn lists 30% raisins and 4.2% currants, and says it can be frozen at home on the day of purchase.
- These are white wheat buns containing milk; check the current label for possible traces of other allergens too.
Jumbo huismerk
One of the packs examined contained six white raisin and currant buns.
- Jumbo lists 29.6% raisins and 6.1% currants for this variant.
- The bun contains wheat and milk; check the pack for all ingredients and allergens that are relevant to your group.
PLUS huismerk
Among the PLUS variants examined were a pack of six currant buns and a longer-life pack of eight.
- The six-pack lists 31% raisins and 3.9% currants. The variants examined include advice to freeze them on the day of purchase.
- Check the storage advice and ingredients on the specific pack; the two packs are different variants.
ALDI
A supermarket option with an examined pack of six soft raisin and currant buns.
- The six-pack gives you a clear quantity to plan around, depending on the size of your group.
- Check the label in store if ingredients, allergens or nutritional values will affect your choice.
Lidl
A supermarket-specific option, sold in a pack of six currant buns.
- The stated number of buns helps you plan the portions.
- Check the packaging in store for ingredients, allergens and nutritional information.
Related products
Related products will be available soon.
Frequently asked questions
What does ‘premium’ mean on a pack of currant buns?
The description doesn’t tell you how much fruit a bun contains or whether it will suit your meal. Compare the ingredients, the stated percentages of raisins and currants, the portion size and the storage advice on the packs.
How can I check whether a currant bun contains baker’s salt?
Read the ingredients list on the pack you’ve chosen, or ask if the buns are unwrapped. Under the Dutch Commodities Act Decree on the Addition of Micronutrients to Foodstuffs, baker’s salt is iodised table salt used when making bread and other baked goods. Don’t assume it is used in every currant bun.
Can I compare the fibre content of currant buns?
Yes. Compare the nutritional information on the same basis. The white Jumbo variant examined lists 2.8 g of fibre per 100 g, while the Albert Heijn variant lists 3.3 g per 100 g. Check the values on the pack you buy.
Which allergens should I check if I’m serving guests?
Check the allergen information on the exact pack you’ve chosen, and make sure it’s suitable for your guests. The Albert Heijn and Jumbo variants examined contain wheat and milk; precautionary ‘may contain’ statements can vary between products.
Can I freeze currant buns ahead of the day I’m serving them?
You can do so with the Albert Heijn and PLUS variants examined that state they can be frozen on the day of purchase. Follow the advice on the specific pack. For the longer-life pack examined, PLUS recommends using the buns within one month of freezing.