Shoppers catering for a small gathering
You want enough currant buns for your Sinterklaas evening, but don’t want to be left with an unnecessarily large pack. A bag of six could be a good starting point.
Who is this relevant to?
Families who want to save leftovers
You’re buying for several people and may have some buns left over. In that case, it’s worth checking whether you can freeze the currant buns you choose, as stated on the packaging, and enjoy them later.
Shoppers who want to check the label
Ingredients, allergens, fibre or whether baker’s salt is listed matter more to you than the number of buns alone. This information can vary from one product to another.
What should you look for when choosing?
Work out how many buns you’ll need for the evening, decide what you’ll do with any leftovers, then check the product information that matters to you.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who is this important to? |
|---|---|---|
| Number of buns | Compare the number of buns in the pack with the number of people you expect to serve. | If I’m celebrating with a small group, I don’t want to open a larger bag than I need; around 40% of consumers prioritise a pack with the right number of buns. |
| Storing leftovers | Check whether freezing is allowed and follow the storage instructions for the product. | If there are buns left after the visit, I want to know if I can enjoy them later; for around 30% of consumers, whether they can be stored for later is the deciding factor. |
| Label information | Check the ingredients and allergens, as well as the nutritional information per 100 g. | If the ingredients or nutritional value determine my choice, I want to be able to read the label first; around 20% of consumers put this check first. |
| Size | Check the size of each bun and whether mini, standard or giant buns are right for the occasion. | When handing them out to guests, I want a bun that’s the right size; for around 10% of consumers, portion size is the most important consideration. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming every currant bun contains iodised salt
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, there’s no requirement to bake bread with baker’s salt. So the product name won’t tell you which type of salt has been used.
Look for baker’s salt or iodised salt in the ingredients list. If you’re buying unpackaged bread, ask about the ingredients.
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Assuming a standard currant bun is gluten-free or milk-free
The currant buns described by PLUS contain cereals containing gluten and milk. You should check the ingredients and allergens separately for other products too.
Read the current packaging and don’t rely on the product name or appearance alone.
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Buying more than you need for one evening without a plan for storing leftovers
A larger pack could leave you with leftovers if you don’t eat all the buns. Whether they can be frozen depends on the product.
Choose a pack size that suits the number of guests and follow the storage instructions on the packaging for any leftovers.
Brands to consider
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn describes a bag of six raisin and currant buns, as well as a separate frozen version.
- The product information for the standard version lists the ingredients, nutritional value and iodised salt.
- Albert Heijn advises that you shouldn’t refreeze the frozen version after it has thawed.
Jumbo
Jumbo describes a standard pack of six raisin and currant buns, alongside other sizes in its bread range.
- Jumbo lists 2.8 g of fibre per 100 g for the standard version.
- If you specifically want a wholemeal version, check the ingredients and availability of the pack you choose.
PLUS
PLUS describes currant buns in packs of six and eight.
- The product information includes ingredients, allergens and instructions for freezing at home.
- The freezing instructions mentioned apply to the products described; check the label on the pack you choose.
ALDI
ALDI describes raisin and currant buns as an in-store product sold in a pack of six.
- The number of buns is clearly stated, so you can compare it with the number of guests.
- Check the ingredients and allergens on the packaging if they affect your choice.
Lidl
Lidl describes giant raisin and currant buns as an in-store product.
- According to Lidl, the pack described contains four 100 g buns made with butter.
- These giant buns aren’t automatically a like-for-like alternative to standard buns; consider how many portions you want to serve.
Currant buns on Joybuy
Related products coming soon.
Frequently asked questions
Are currant buns always high in fibre?
No, you can’t tell from the name alone. Jumbo lists 2.8 g of fibre per 100 g for its standard version described here; for any other pack, check the nutritional information per 100 g and the ingredients.
Does every currant bun contain baker’s salt?
No. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that bread doesn’t have to be baked with baker’s salt. If you want to know which type of salt has been used in the currant buns you’ve chosen, look for baker’s salt or iodised salt on the label.
Can I freeze currant buns after Sinterklaas evening?
It depends on the instructions for the product you choose. For the pack of eight described, PLUS says that you can freeze the buns at home on the day of purchase and should use them within one month. Check these instructions again on your own packaging.
Are standard currant buns gluten-free?
Don’t assume they are. The PLUS currant buns described contain cereals containing gluten; for any other product, check the latest allergen information and look for a gluten-free statement on the packaging.