For a small canteen lunch with a predictable number of diners, a standard pack of six or eight currant buns could be a good fit. Mini buns are an option if you want to offer smaller portions alongside other lunch choices. Only choose a variety that can be frozen if you have freezer space and a practical plan for defrosting. Check the exact product for allergens, nutritional information and storage instructions.
You want to match the number of buns to expected attendance, so you don’t open more packs than necessary or end up with leftovers. Jumbo and PLUS, for example, list packs of six, while PLUS also lists a pack of eight.
You’re looking for a smaller option to serve alongside other lunch choices. A pack of nine mini currant and raisin buns from PLUS is one example.
You want to spread the buns across several lunch services and need to be able to follow the instructions for your chosen product. PLUS says that a pack of eight can be frozen on the day of purchase and should be used within one month.
Choose the number and size of buns to suit your lunch group. Then compare the nutritional information and allergens for each product, and choose a storage method that works in your canteen.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Pack size and serving | Compare the number of buns in each pack with expected attendance and the portion size you want to offer per person. | When I know how many colleagues are joining us for lunch, I want to have enough buns ready without lots left over. Around 25% of consumers prioritise having the right number of items in a pack. |
| Portion size | Check the weight of each bun and compare the nutritional information per 100 g and per portion. | A smaller bun is a better fit for my plan to offer other lunch products too. That’s why around 31% of consumers prioritise portion control. |
| Allergens and ingredients | Check the ingredients and the ‘contains’ and ‘may contain’ statements for your chosen variety. | For a shared lunch, I want to know which allergens are listed for these particular buns. For around 25% of consumers, checking the product is their top priority. |
| Storage and stock | Check whether the buns should be stored fresh, can be frozen or are already frozen, and follow the relevant instructions. | If I’m planning stock for more than one lunch service, storage and defrosting need to be practical for our canteen. Around 19% of consumers consider this stock flexibility their top priority. |
The standard and mini varieties reviewed list wheat and milk, but statements about the possible presence of other allergens vary by product.
Check the current packaging for every variety you choose, even if you’ve bought buns from the same brand before.
Storage instructions vary by variety. For one pack reviewed, PLUS says to freeze the buns on the day of purchase and use them within one month. For a frozen variety described by Albert Heijn, the buns should not be refrozen after defrosting.
Before stocking up, read the instructions on the specific pack and plan storage and defrosting accordingly.
The online range includes standard and mini varieties of currant and raisin buns.
Jumbo lists white wheat buns with raisins and currants in a pack of six.
PLUS lists standard currant buns, as well as mini and giant currant and raisin buns.
ALDI lists currant and raisin buns in a pack of six.
Lidl lists currant buns in a pack of six.
Don’t assume it does: think about what other lunch products you’ll offer and how many buns you want to serve per person. For a 50 g currant bun, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre gives a general reference of 134 kcal, 15,9 g of sugars and 2 g of fibre. For a specific brand and size, use the nutritional information for that product.
Follow the instructions for your chosen variety. The fresh Jumbo and PLUS products reviewed say to store the buns in a cool, dry place away from light. For one specific variety, PLUS says to freeze the buns on the day of purchase and use them within one month. For a frozen variety described by Albert Heijn, the instructions say to store it at −18 °C and not to refreeze it after defrosting; check whether that variety is available.
Read the allergen information on the current packaging of every product you plan to serve. The currant buns reviewed list wheat and milk, among other things, while statements about the possible presence of other allergens vary by variety.
Check the ingredients list for the specific currant bun if the type of salt used matters to you. Don’t assume that every variety has the same ingredients just because it belongs to the same product category.
