Who are the different pack sizes suited to?

Sharing with a group

Buying for a family, class, team or group of visitors? A bag of 8 or 10 standard currant buns can be handy when you want to hand out several similar-sized rolls. Check how many people will actually be eating.

Preparing lunchboxes

If you want to spread the buns over several days, match the quantity to the lunchboxes you plan to fill. Albert Heijn and PLUS state that specific varieties can be frozen at home on the day of purchase; always follow the instructions on your chosen pack.

Checking the label

If ingredients, allergens or nutritional values are important to your choice, compare the exact varieties. The currant buns we looked at from Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS, among others, list wheat or gluten and milk; warnings about possible traces vary by product.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide how many buns you need and what size you’d like. Then compare the storage instructions and label for the variety that suits you.

What to consider What should you check? Who is this most important for?
Enough to share Count how many people will be eating and compare the number of buns in each bag. Don’t compare mini buns directly with standard buns. If I want to share buns with several people at the parade, I want to know in advance whether one bag will be enough. Being able to share enough portions is the top priority for around 36% of consumers.
Saving some for lunchboxes Read the use-by and freezing instructions for your chosen variety before putting portions aside. If I want to fill lunchboxes after the parade too, I need to be able to store any leftover buns as directed on the pack. This is the main concern for around 29% of consumers.
Label and nutritional information Check the ingredients and allergens; compare fibre and salt on the same basis, such as per 100 g. If someone eating with me needs to avoid certain ingredients or allergens, I’ll give the label more weight than the bag size. Checking the label is the deciding factor for around 21% of consumers.
Smaller portions Check whether they are mini buns and look at the portion size; don’t assume the nutritional values from the word ‘mini’. For a short snack break, I sometimes prefer to hand out smaller buns rather than standard ones. Around 14% of consumers say this portion size is their priority.

Common mistakes

  • Counting buns as if they were all the same size

    A bag of 9 mini buns isn’t directly comparable with 9 standard buns. The number alone also tells you nothing about the total contents or nutritional values.

    First choose the individual portion size you want, then compare the weight and nutritional information on a like-for-like basis.

  • Buying a large bag without a storage plan

    If you’re buying for a small group, you may have buns left over. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bread gets drier the longer it stays frozen.

    Check the use-by date before buying. If the pack says you can freeze the buns at home, follow the instructions for any you won’t use in time.

  • Assuming every brand has the same allergen profile

    The varieties we looked at from Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS contain wheat or gluten and milk, while warnings about possible traces can vary by product.

    Each time you buy, read the ingredients and allergen information on the pack of the exact variety you’ve chosen.

  • Assuming every currant bun contains iodised salt

    The Government Gazette describes an agreement that encourages participating producers to use baker’s salt containing iodine. This doesn’t tell you which salt is used in an individual currant bun.

    If the type of salt matters to your choice, check the ingredients list for the specific product.

Brands to consider

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn lists a bag of 10 standard raisin and currant buns, as well as a separate frozen variety containing 6.

  • Albert Heijn says the 10-pack can be frozen at home on the day of purchase.
  • Check the pack for your chosen variety: ingredients and allergen information can change.

Jumbo

Jumbo lists a pack of 6 standard raisin and currant buns.

  • The pack listed contains 6 portions, making it easy to work out how many you need for a small group.
  • The variety we looked at contains wheat and milk. Also check the current pack for warnings about possible traces.

PLUS

PLUS lists standard currant buns in bags of 6 and 8, as well as mini currant and raisin buns in a bag of 9.

  • These listed varieties give you the option of choosing standard or mini buns to suit the number of portions you need.
  • Wheat or gluten and milk or lactose are relevant for the varieties we looked at; check the label on the exact bag you choose.

ALDI

ALDI lists raisin and currant buns in a bag of 6. Its listed giant raisin buns, in a pack of 4, are a different product.

  • The 6-pack gives you a clear quantity if you’re looking for a smaller amount.
  • Check the pack for your chosen buns for ingredients, allergens and nutritional information.

Lidl

Lidl lists currant buns in bags of 6 and marks them on the product page as available in store only.

  • The pack size of 6 is clear in advance if you’re buying for a small group.
  • Check the pack in store for ingredients, allergens and nutritional information.

Related Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

How many currant buns should I buy for a Sinterklaas parade?

Choose a quantity to suit the number of people who’ll be eating: a bag of 6 may suit a small group, while 8 to 10 standard buns give you more individual rolls to share or save for lunchboxes. If you want to hand out smaller buns, compare mini varieties separately rather than just counting the buns in each bag.

Can I freeze leftover currant buns?

You can, if the pack says the variety can be frozen at home. Albert Heijn and PLUS say this is possible for specific products on the day of purchase; follow the instructions on your pack. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bread can get drier if it’s frozen for longer.

Does every Dutch currant bun contain iodised baker’s salt?

Don’t assume this is the case for a specific product. The Government Gazette describes an agreement that encourages participating producers to use baker’s salt containing iodine. Check the ingredients list if the type of salt matters to your choice.

What should I check if allergens are a concern?

Read the allergen information on the current pack of the exact currant buns you choose. The varieties we looked at from Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS contain wheat or gluten and milk; any warnings about traces vary by product.