Currant Buns for Sinterklaas: Seeded, Wholemeal or Mini?

Who might find this choice useful?

If you want to compare fibre content

You’re looking for a currant bun made with wholemeal flour, so you check the ingredients and fibre per 100 g rather than relying on the name on the front of the pack.

If you want to hand out buns during the parade

You want to take along buns that can be shared as smaller portions without having to cut them. Their size and the number in each pack matter too.

If you want to check for seeds or allergens

You’re looking for seeds to add texture, or you need to check which ingredients and warnings are listed on the current packaging.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide whether size, wholemeal flour or seeds matter most to you. Then compare the ingredients, nutritional information and storage instructions on the pack you’re planning to take along.

What to consider	What to check	Who is this important to?
Wholemeal and fibre	Check which types of flour are used and compare fibre per 100 g.	If fibre is my priority, I want to know whether the bun contains wholemeal flour and how much fibre it provides. Around 31% of consumers put this need first.
Size for sharing	Compare mini and standard sizes, the number of buns and the total pack weight.	When handing out buns during the parade, I want to be able to offer smaller buns without cutting them up. For around 25% of consumers, a shareable size is the main priority.
Seeds and allergens	Look for seeds in the ingredients list, and check separately what the product contains and what it may contain.	I want to know whether the buns really contain seeds, or which allergens are listed on the packaging. Checking the ingredients is a priority for around 25% of consumers.
Storage and taking them along	Read the storage instructions and best-before date; check whether the product can be frozen in advance.	If I buy the buns before the parade, I want to be able to store them according to the label until it’s time to take them along. This is the main priority for around 19% of consumers.

Common pitfalls

Mistaking a standard currant bun for a seeded bun

Currants and raisins don’t tell you whether a bun contains seeds. A warning that a product may contain sesame doesn’t mean sesame is an intended ingredient either.

If you’re after extra texture or seeds, check that they’re listed in the product name or ingredients. If you have a sesame allergy, read the allergen warning too.
Assuming a bun is wholemeal because of its colour or size

A mini bun or a dark-looking bun isn’t necessarily wholemeal. The types of flour used and nutritional values vary from product to product.

Look for the wholemeal description in the product information and compare fibre per 100 g on the packaging.
Assuming every currant bun contains baker’s salt

According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. So you can’t tell whether it’s been used just from the product category.

Check the ingredients list on packaged buns, or ask which salt has been used if you’re buying unpackaged bread.
Relying only on online product information

The ingredients, allergen information and storage advice on a product page may differ from those on the packaging you buy.

Read the current label just before buying, including the best-before date and any warnings.

Brands to consider

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn offers a wholemeal raisin and currant bun, among other products, whose nutritional values you can compare.

The wholemeal option described lists 6,1 g of fibre per 100 g and iodised salt.
That recipe doesn’t necessarily apply to other AH currant buns; check the packaging for ingredients and allergens.

Jumbo

Jumbo provides product information for white wheat, raisin and currant buns, as well as a mini wholemeal option.

The white raisin and currant buns list 2,8 g of fibre per 100 g.
Check that the mini wholemeal option is currently available before choosing it for the parade.

PLUS

At PLUS, you can compare currant and raisin buns in different sizes and packs.

The standard currant bun described lists 3,3 g of fibre per 100 g; product information is also available for mini buns.
Ingredients and allergen information vary between options. The standard currant bun lists wheat, among other ingredients, and may contain sesame, soya and nuts.

Lidl

Lidl describes mini wholemeal raisin buns as an in-store product sold in a 360 g pack.

The smaller size is a practical option to consider if you want to hand out buns.
Check the current packaging in store for ingredients, allergens and fibre content.

ALDI

ALDI describes raisin and currant buns, as well as a larger raisin bun option.

The product names make it clear which is the standard bun and which is the larger one.
Read the label if seeds, nutritional values or allergens will affect your choice.

Bolletje

Bolletje is a brand to consider for the Sinterklaas season and products containing seeds, but seeded crackers and spiced biscuits aren’t currant buns.

The range includes products with seeds and separate Sinterklaas treats.
Don’t choose these products as a substitute for a currant bun without first checking the product category and ingredients.

Related Joybuy products

Frequently asked questions

Does a currant bun always contain iodised baker’s salt?

No. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. Check the ingredients list on packaged buns, or ask which salt has been used if you’re buying unpackaged bread.

Does a sesame warning mean a currant bun contains seeds?

No. ‘May contain sesame’ is a warning about possible presence, not confirmation that sesame has been added as an ingredient. To check for seeds, or if you have a sesame allergy, read the current ingredients and allergen information on the packaging.

How should I store currant buns bought in advance for the parade?

Follow the storage instructions on the pack you choose. PLUS says that a longer-life option described should be stored in a cool, dark place. According to the product information, it can be frozen on the day of purchase and should then be used within one month.

Does a currant bun with seeds automatically contain more fibre?

You can’t tell just from the presence of seeds. Compare fibre per 100 g for the products you’re considering: the Albert Heijn wholemeal option described lists 6,1 g per 100 g, but that figure doesn’t apply to every seeded currant bun.