Which option is right for you?

If you want to serve genuine sourdough

If the sourdough element is why you’re choosing currant buns, ask what raising agent is used. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre describes sourdough bread as bread made with sourdough and without baker’s yeast.

If you’re planning a practical garden party

If the number of portions and planning ahead are your main concerns, compare pack sizes and storage advice. Regular packaged currant buns are a good fit if sourdough isn’t essential.

If you’re checking ingredients for your guests

If guests need to avoid allergens, read the label on the exact pack you’re buying. The Jumbo and PLUS currant buns we reviewed list wheat and milk; also check for any ‘may contain’ statements about possible cross-contamination.

What should you look for?

Sourdough currant bun

Choose this option: if sourdough is the main reason you want to serve currant buns and the baker can confirm which raising agent is used.

The trade-off: a traditional, artisan look alone won’t tell you whether the bun was made without baker’s yeast.

Packaged currant bun

Choose this option: if you mainly want to get the right number of buns and sourdough isn’t a must.

The trade-off: the Jumbo and PLUS varieties we reviewed list baker’s yeast, so they don’t meet the Netherlands Nutrition Centre’s definition of sourdough.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Raising agent Ask the baker or check the label to see whether sourdough is used without baker’s yeast. If I’m choosing sourdough for its flavour and method of preparation, I want to know what made the dough rise. Around 33% of consumers prioritise genuine sourdough.
Number of buns Compare the number of buns in each pack with the number of guests and the rest of the buffet. For a small gathering, I don’t want to open far more buns than we expect to eat. For around 25% of consumers, getting the right quantity is the deciding factor.
Ingredients and allergens Read the ingredients and allergen information on the exact pack, including any ‘may contain’ statements. If I’m buying for guests with a relevant allergy, I need to know what’s in the bun I’ve chosen. Around 25% of consumers give this check top priority.
Storage Check the product-specific freezing advice and work out how many buns you’ll need on the day of the party. If I’m shopping ahead, I want to be able to store portions without opening everything at once. This is a top priority for around 17% of consumers.

Pitfalls to avoid

  • Mistaking an artisan look for genuine sourdough

    According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, sourdough bread is made with sourdough instead of baker’s yeast. The Jumbo and PLUS currant buns we reviewed list baker’s yeast.

    Ask the baker specifically which raising agent is used, or read the ingredients list before serving a bun as sourdough.

  • Assuming the shop name tells you about allergens

    Ingredients depend on the exact product, not the supermarket chain. The varieties we reviewed from Jumbo and PLUS list wheat and milk.

    Before serving your guests, check the current label on every pack you’ve chosen, including information about allergens the product may contain.

  • Buying ahead without a storage plan

    If you open more buns than you need, you’ll have portions left over. Buying ahead also means checking the storage advice for the variety you’ve chosen.

    Work out how many you’ll need on the day. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends freezing bread in portions as soon as you buy it if you’re shopping ahead. For its longer-life currant buns, PLUS advises freezing them on the day of purchase and using them within one month.

Brands to consider

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn offers packaged raisin and currant buns in a range of pack sizes. Its separate sourdough product is a wholemeal loaf, not a currant bun.

  • A choice of pack sizes can help you plan portions.
  • A wholemeal sourdough loaf doesn’t tell you which raising agent is used for the currant buns; check each product individually.

Jumbo

Jumbo sells a pack of six raisin and currant buns.

  • The product information includes ingredients, allergens and nutritional values.
  • The variety we reviewed lists baker’s yeast and milk, so it isn’t suitable if you need sourdough made without baker’s yeast.

PLUS

PLUS offers regular, larger and longer-life currant and raisin buns in a range of pack sizes.

  • PLUS gives specific freezing advice for its longer-life variety.
  • The varieties we reviewed list baker’s yeast. Check the allergen information on each pack too.

ALDI

ALDI offers raisin and currant buns as fresh bread in a pack of six.

  • The pack size is useful when planning portions.
  • Before choosing them for your guests, check the pack in store for the raising agent and allergen information.

Lidl

Lidl offers currant buns in packs of six as freshly baked bread to buy in store.

  • The number of buns in each bag helps you work out how many you’ll need.
  • Check the in-store label for ingredients, allergens and the raising agent.

Related Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

How can I recognise a genuine sourdough currant bun?

Check what made the dough rise: according to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, sourdough bread is made with sourdough and without baker’s yeast. Ask the baker to confirm or read the ingredients list. If it lists baker’s yeast, don’t describe the bun as sourdough according to this definition.

Can I serve the supermarket currant buns we reviewed to guests with a milk or gluten allergy?

Don’t assume they’re suitable without checking the exact product: the varieties we reviewed from Jumbo and PLUS list wheat and milk. Before buying, also check the current warnings about allergens the product may contain.

How can I buy currant buns ahead without having lots left over?

Match the number of packs to your guest list and, if you’re shopping ahead, only freeze the buns according to the product’s storage advice. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends freezing bread in portions as soon as you buy it. For its longer-life currant buns, PLUS advises freezing them on the day of purchase and using them within one month.

How can I tell whether a currant bun contains iodised baker’s salt?

Check the ingredients for the exact currant bun, or ask the baker or producer. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains the rules on adding iodine to bakery products, but this doesn’t tell you which type of salt was used in a particular currant bun.