For handing out individual portions
If you want to give guests a bun without slicing anything first, individual currant buns are a practical choice. Albert Heijn, Jumbo, PLUS and ALDI describe packs of 6; check which variety you’re actually buying.
Who are the different formats useful for?
For buying ahead if you have freezer space
If you’re shopping before St Nicholas’ Eve, look for packaging with suitable freezing advice. PLUS says its pack of 8 can be frozen at home on the day of purchase and should be used within 1 month.
For checking allergens first
If the ingredients matter to one of your guests, read the label on the exact pack before sharing the buns. The standard varieties reviewed from Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS list wheat or cereals containing gluten, as well as milk ingredients; other allergen information varies by product.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you want to serve individual buns or slices. Then check the exact pack for allergens, the quantity you need and storage instructions.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Allergens and ingredients | Check the packaging you choose for both the allergens present and any ‘may contain’ statements. | If someone eating needs to avoid certain ingredients, I want to read the current label before serving anything. This is the most important check for around 33% of consumers. |
| Individual portions or slices | Compare the number of buns with the weight and slicing of a currant loaf. | I want to be able to hand out buns straight away, or serve slices at the table, without confusing the two formats. This is the most important choice for around 27% of consumers. |
| Storage and buying ahead | Check the storage instructions and whether freezing is mentioned for this pack. | If you’re shopping before the evening, you’ll want to know whether the packaging says the quantity you’ve chosen can be stored. This is the main consideration for around 20% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and nutritional information | Compare similar varieties per 100 g for things such as fibre, sugars and salt; check the stated proportion of raisins and currants. | If I’m choosing between similar buns, I want to compare the ingredients and nutritional information on the same basis. This is the top priority for around 20% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming currant buns and sliced currant loaf are the same thing
You can hand out individual buns one by one; a partially sliced loaf is served in slices. ALDI describes its Drenthe loaf as a partially sliced currant loaf weighing 700 g, not a bag of currant buns.
First decide how you want to serve it, then check the number of items or the weight.
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Guessing the allergens from the product name
The name doesn’t tell you which allergens the exact variety contains or may contain. The products reviewed have different allergen statements.
When buying, read the ingredients list and allergen statement on the physical packaging.
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Treating ‘medium sliced’ as a confirmed product specification
A description such as ‘partially sliced’ tells you that a loaf has been partly pre-sliced, but it doesn’t specify the thickness of the slices. A bag of individual currant buns isn’t sliced bread, either.
If you’re looking for a particular slice thickness, check the description of the specific loaf or inspect the product before buying.
Brands to consider
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn describes a pack of 6 white raisin and currant buns.
- The product page reviewed lists 30% raisins, 4.2% currants, iodised salt and allergen information.
- This variety was listed as discontinued on the page reviewed. Don’t take the description as confirmation that you can buy the same pack for St Nicholas’ Eve.
Jumbo
Jumbo describes white raisin and currant buns in a pack of 6.
- The product page lists 29.6% raisins, 6.1% currants and nutritional values per 100 g and per 65 g portion.
- The term ‘baker’s salt’ on that page doesn’t in itself confirm that the exact pack contains iodised salt.
PLUS
PLUS describes currant buns in packs of 6 and 8.
- For the varieties reviewed, PLUS publishes ingredients, allergens, nutritional values and advice to store the buns in a cool, dry place. For the pack of 8, PLUS recommends freezing on the day of purchase and using within 1 month.
- Check the information again on the pack you buy, especially if allergens matter to the people eating them.
ALDI
ALDI describes both a pack of 6 raisin and currant buns and a partially sliced Drenthe loaf weighing 700 g.
- The different product formats make it clear whether you’re handing out individual buns or serving slices.
- For the buns, check the ingredients and allergens on the packaging in store.
Lidl
Lidl describes giant raisin and currant buns as 4 buns weighing 100 g each, available in store.
- The stated quantity and weight help you choose between larger individual buns and a pack containing more items.
- Check the current packaging and allergen information in store before choosing this variety.
Joybuy products
Related products will be available soon.
Frequently asked questions
Can I buy currant buns in advance for St Nicholas’ Eve?
Yes, if the storage instructions for the pack you choose suit your plans. PLUS says its pack of 8 can be frozen at home on the day of purchase and should be used within 1 month; check the storage advice for any other pack.
Are currant buns automatically suitable for someone who needs to avoid gluten or milk?
No. The standard varieties reviewed from Albert Heijn, Jumbo and PLUS list wheat or cereals containing gluten, as well as milk ingredients, as allergens present. For the exact variety, also check the other allergen information on the current packaging.
Is a partially sliced currant loaf the same as currant buns?
No. The Drenthe loaf described by ALDI is a partially sliced currant loaf weighing 700 g; the currant buns reviewed are individual buns sold in a bag. Choose the loaf for slices or the buns for individual portions, but don’t assume that ‘partially sliced’ means a particular slice thickness.