Lunch and brunch shoppers
If the bun is part of a special meal, an extra-large variety may suit the occasion better than a mini bun. Be sure to check how many buns are in the pack.
Which option is right for you?
Shoppers looking for a treat
If you specifically want butter as an ingredient, compare the butter and raisin buns. Read the product name and ingredients carefully: a raisin bun is not automatically a currant bun.
Shoppers focused on portions and fibre
If you want a smaller bun or a wholemeal variety, check the product description, portion size and fibre information on the label rather than judging by appearance alone.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether the buns are for one meal, a treat or several occasions. Then compare the specific packs.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it's relevant for |
|---|---|---|
| Generous meal-sized portion | Compare the size or weight of each bun and the number of buns per pack. | For lunch or brunch, I want one bun that's a suitable size for the meal, rather than several mini buns. Around 37% of consumers give this meal-sized portion the highest priority. |
| Butter as an ingredient | Read the product name and ingredients, and check the allergen information too. | For a treat, I'm specifically looking for a bun made with butter and want to know whether it's a raisin bun or a currant bun. This ingredient choice comes first for around 27% of consumers. |
| Wholemeal and fibre | Check that it's labelled wholemeal and compare the fibre per 100 g or per bun. | If wholemeal is my main criterion, I want to compare the specific varieties rather than judge by colour. This is a priority for around 18% of consumers. |
| Portions and storage | Check the number of buns, the best-before date and any freezing instructions. | If I'm spreading the buns over several occasions, I want portion sizes and storage advice that fit my plans. This matters most to around 18% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming a premium look means a different recipe
An extra-large size or a mention of butter doesn't tell you on its own whether a bun is wholemeal or how much fibre it contains.
Decide first which feature matters for your meal, then compare the ingredients and nutritional information for the specific varieties.
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Assuming every currant bun contains iodised baker's salt
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bakers are not required to use iodised baker's salt.
If you want to know whether a particular bun contains it, check the ingredients list or ask about unwrapped buns.
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Overlooking allergens and portion size
Milk may be a relevant allergen in a butter variety. A mini, standard or extra-large bun also represents a different portion size.
Check the allergen information and compare the nutritional values per 100 g and per bun, where both are available.
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Applying storage advice to every variety
Freezing instructions for one product don't automatically apply to another pack or to unwrapped buns.
Follow the best-before date, storage conditions and any freezing instructions for the product you buy.
Brands to consider
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn lists standard currant buns, a frozen variety and raisin and currant buns marketed as having a longer shelf life.
- There are options for eating straight away or buying in advance.
- Albert Heijn notes that ingredients, nutritional values and allergen information may change, so check the pack of the variety you choose.
Jumbo
Jumbo lists raisin and currant buns, as well as extra-large raisin buns, mini wholemeal raisin and currant buns, and mini butter and raisin buns.
- Size, wholemeal labelling and a mention of butter offer different things to consider when choosing.
- According to Jumbo, its standard raisin and currant buns contain 2.8 g of fibre per 100 g. This value does not automatically apply to the other varieties.
PLUS
PLUS lists, among other options, extra-large and mini currant and raisin buns, as well as a variety marketed as having a longer shelf life.
- The different sizes make it easy to compare the number of buns with the occasion you're buying them for.
- The freezing advice for the variety marketed as having a longer shelf life applies to that product only; follow the instructions on the pack you buy.
Lidl
Lidl lists extra-large and mini raisin and currant buns.
- The product names make the difference in size clear.
- Check the information on the specific pack for ingredients, allergens and nutritional values.
ALDI
ALDI lists standard raisin and currant buns, extra-large raisin buns and mini butter and raisin buns.
- The range includes a currant and raisin bun, a larger raisin bun and a mini bun made with butter.
- Compare the ingredients and nutritional values of each variety; the names describe different recipes, not one shared recipe.
Joybuy products
Related products will appear here soon.
Frequently asked questions
Does every Dutch currant bun contain iodised baker's salt?
No, you can't assume that every currant bun does. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bakers aren't required to use baker's salt. Check the ingredients list or ask about unwrapped buns.
How do I check allergens in wrapped and unwrapped buns?
For wrapped buns, read the label. For unwrapped buns, ask the seller which allergens they contain. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says information must be provided for both types of sale. Check for allergens including cereals containing gluten and, in butter varieties, milk.
How do I compare a standard currant bun with a wholemeal one?
Check whether the variety is labelled wholemeal and compare the fibre per 100 g or per bun. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, wholegrain cereal products contain more fibre than white cereal products. The nutritional value of a specific bun still depends on its recipe and portion size.
Can I buy currant buns in advance and freeze them?
That depends on the instructions for the product you buy. PLUS says its currant buns marketed as having a longer shelf life can be frozen at home on the day of purchase and should be used within one month. Don't assume the same instructions apply to other varieties.