Who is this choice for?

Breakfast planners looking for convenience

For a shared Sunday breakfast, they want buns that can go straight onto the table. The number of buns in a bag and what to do with any leftovers determine which pack is practical.

Shoppers who prioritise ingredients

They compare the type of grain and nutritional information for the bun they choose, including its fibre and sugar content. If you specifically want brown or wholemeal bread, you can’t tell from the name ‘currant bun’ alone.

Breakfast shoppers looking for a gift

Alongside their breakfast shopping, they’re also looking for a thoughtful gift. For this separate purchase, the contents and presentation of a box of chocolates matter more than the number of breakfast buns.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide whether you’re shopping for the breakfast table or looking for a gift. Then compare options within that product category by pack size, ingredients and composition.

Currant buns

When to choose them: when you want to serve a sweet bun with currants and raisins at Sunday breakfast.

Consider: the name doesn’t tell you whether the bun is brown or wholemeal, so check the specific variety.

Brown or wholemeal bread

When to choose it: when the type of grain matters more to you than the particular character of a currant bun.

Consider: this is a different type of bread, and there’s no guarantee it will have the same flavour or portion size.

Box of chocolates

When to choose it: when you want to pick up a gift or treat alongside your breakfast shopping.

Consider: a gift box doesn’t serve the same purpose as bread for the breakfast table.

What to consider What to check before buying Who should pay particular attention?
Number of buns and storage Compare the number of buns with the size of your group, and check the storage or freezing advice on the packaging. If not everyone at the table will have a bun, I don’t want to choose a bag that leaves lots over. Around 33% of consumers prioritise a convenient breakfast and a pack size that suits their needs.
Type of grain and nutritional information Check whether the bread is white, brown or wholemeal, and compare fibre, sugar and salt per 100 g and per serving. If I want to eat this type of bun more often, I want to know which grain and nutritional values come with my choice. Around 25% of consumers prioritise composition.
Ingredients and allergens Read the current ingredients list, highlighted allergens and any cross-contamination warning for the variety you’ve chosen. If someone eating with me needs to avoid certain ingredients, I can’t rely on the product photo or brand name. Checking ingredients and allergens is the top priority for around 25% of consumers.
Choosing a gift If you’re buying a box of chocolates, check its contents, packaging and allergen information for the recipient. If I’m looking for a thoughtful gift for someone else, I choose something to give them rather than extra bread for the breakfast table. A gift is the main reason for buying for around 17% of consumers.

Nutritional values vary from product to product. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre gives 15,9 g of sugars for a 50 g currant bun. For the bun you’re buying, check the nutritional information on the packaging rather than treating this general figure as a product specification.

Common mistakes

  • Thinking of a box of chocolates as a breakfast substitute

    A gift box serves a different purpose from bread for the breakfast table. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre doesn’t include chocolate in the Wheel of Five.

    Choose the box for the occasion, then decide separately what you want to serve at breakfast.

  • Assuming every currant bun is wholemeal

    The currant buns from Jumbo and PLUS included in this comparison are made with white wheat flour. So the category name doesn’t tell you which type of grain is in a particular pack.

    Read the product name and ingredients list, and only assume it’s wholemeal if that’s stated for the variety you’ve chosen.

  • Guessing allergens from a brand or photo

    Similar buns can have different ingredients, and product information can change. If you have an allergy, the current information on the packaging of the product you’ve chosen is what matters.

    Check the ingredients and allergens every time you buy. If you’re buying unpackaged buns, ask about allergen information before purchasing.

  • Buying more buns than you can store

    A larger bag isn’t automatically practical if you’ll only eat some of the buns on Sunday.

    Choose a pack size to suit your group and follow the storage advice. For its eight-bun bag included in this comparison, PLUS says it can be frozen on the day of purchase and should be used within a month.

Brands and shops to consider

These examples can help you compare specific products and pack sizes. The features of one variety won’t necessarily apply to the whole range.

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn has separate online categories for currant and muesli buns, and for chocolate gifts.

  • The categories make it possible to browse breakfast buns and a separate gift in the same shop.
  • Albert Heijn says that ingredients, nutritional values and allergens can change, so check the label on the product you choose.

Jumbo

Jumbo’s online product information makes it possible to compare a specific bag of raisin and currant buns.

  • The pack included in this comparison contains six white wheat buns with raisins and currants, and lists ingredients, allergens and nutritional values.
  • These ingredients and nutritional values apply to this variety, not necessarily to other Jumbo buns.

PLUS

PLUS offers currant buns in different bag sizes, including packs of six and eight.

  • For the products included in this comparison, ingredients, allergens and storage or freezing advice are provided.
  • Check the information on the pack you choose when you buy it, as product information can change.

ALDI

ALDI describes a pack of six raisin and currant buns for shoppers to buy in store.

  • The product description calls them soft wheat buns with raisins and currants.
  • In store, check the ingredients and allergens on the packaging of the variety you pick up.

Lidl

Lidl describes a bag of six currant buns as an in-store product.

  • The product page states the number of buns and says the item is available in store only.
  • For ingredients and allergens, check the shelf label and the product packaging in store.

Related Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Can a box of chocolates replace currant buns at Sunday breakfast?

A box of chocolates is mainly a gift or treat and doesn’t serve the same purpose as breakfast bread. If you’re looking for bread for the breakfast table, compare currant buns with other types of bread. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre includes brown and wholemeal bread among the choices in the Wheel of Five.

Where can I check the allergens in currant buns?

Check the current packaging for the specific currant buns you’re buying. Read the ingredients list, highlighted allergens and any warnings. If you’re buying unpackaged buns, ask for allergen information before purchasing.

Does the name ‘currant bun’ mean it contains iodine-enriched baker’s salt?

No, you can’t tell from the product name. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that iodine compounds may be used in bakery products, but that doesn’t tell you which ingredients a particular currant bun contains. Check the ingredients information or ask the seller.

What should I do if I have currant buns left over?

Follow the storage advice on the packaging you’ve chosen and check whether the buns can be frozen. For the eight-bun PLUS pack included in this comparison, PLUS advises freezing on the day of purchase and using within a month. Don’t assume the same instructions apply to other varieties.