Hosts who want to share
You’re looking for a bread-based option that you can serve individually. A pack of mini currant buns or one containing several buns makes it easier to provide the right number of portions for your guests.
Who is this choice for?
Shoppers looking for an informal gift
You’re taking something for your host and care more about the presentation and variety of a box of chocolates than adding something bread-based to the table.
Shoppers who need to check the ingredients
You only make your choice after reading the label on the specific currant buns or chocolate. If you’re buying a mixed selection, it’s important to check the allergen information for its contents too.
What should you consider when choosing?
First decide whether you’re looking for a bread-based option for drinks or a sweet gift. The packaging, allergens and storage instructions will then help you choose what’s right for the occasion.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who is this important to? |
|---|---|---|
| Sharing at the table | For currant buns, check their size and the number in each pack. | If I’m serving something bread-based to several guests, I want to offer individual portions without having to divide up a large bun. Around 31% of consumers prioritise an option that’s ready to share. |
| A gift and a variety of flavours | Check whether the chocolate comes in a gift box or selection pack, and what it contains. | When I’m visiting someone informally, I want to take something I can give straight away and share in a range of flavours. This is the main reason for choosing it for around 31% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients list and allergen information on the pack you’ve chosen, including for a selection. | If a guest needs to avoid certain ingredients, I can’t rely on the product category or the front of the pack. Around 23% of consumers put this check first. |
| Shopping in advance | Compare the best-before date and storage instructions; for currant buns, also check whether they can be frozen. | If I’m shopping well ahead of the get-together, I want to know whether I can store my purchase properly until it’s time to serve. This planning is the deciding factor for around 15% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming all currant buns have the same ingredients
Ingredients and allergens vary from product to product. You also can’t tell from the product name whether iodised baker’s salt has been used in the currant buns.
Read the label on the pack you’ve chosen. Don’t use general nutritional information as a substitute for the product-specific ingredients list.
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Sharing a chocolate selection without checking the label
A mixed pack may contain several allergens. The Celebrations selection described by Jumbo lists milk, peanuts, soya, wheat, barley and egg, among other ingredients.
If any guests have relevant allergies, check what they can eat in advance and keep the packaging handy when you serve the chocolate.
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Buying currant buns and chocolate equally far in advance
Storage instructions aren’t interchangeable. PLUS says its currant buns can be frozen on the day of purchase and should then be used within one month.
Plan your shopping around when you’ll be serving the food, and follow the best-before date and storage instructions for the pack you’ve chosen.
If you buy currant buns too early, you may need to find space in the freezer, or they could go to waste if you don’t use them in time.
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Assuming every shop stocks the same range
An online product listing doesn’t necessarily mean an item is available at your local shop. For example, ALDI advises shoppers to check in store for its raisin and currant buns.
Just before you set off, check whether the specific pack is available at the shop you plan to visit.
Brands and shops to consider
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn has online categories for currant and muesli buns, as well as chocolate gifts.
- You can browse both types of purchase in separate categories.
- Check the ingredients, nutritional information and allergens on the pack you actually buy; product information can change.
Jumbo
Jumbo lists mini raisin and currant buns in packs of nine, among other products, and has a chocolate gifts category.
- The mini size is a specific option if you want to serve individual portions.
- Check that the version you’ve chosen is still available when viewing a product listing.
PLUS
PLUS lists currant buns in packs of six and has an online category for luxury chocolate and chocolates.
- PLUS also provides product-specific freezing instructions for the currant buns described.
- Don’t automatically apply these instructions to other packs; always read the label on the product you’ve chosen.
Lidl
Lidl lists extra-large raisin and currant buns, as well as chocolate listings.
- The extra-large version described contains four 100 g buns, which helps you gauge the portion size.
- The product listing for this version directs shoppers to buy in store; check local availability.
ALDI
ALDI lists raisin and currant buns in packs of six, as well as chocolate products such as chocolates and pralines.
- The listed pack size tells you in advance how many currant buns it contains.
- The range and availability may vary by shop and over time.
Chocolate options at Joybuy
These packs suit anyone choosing chocolate to share or take along to a drinks get-together. Compare the size, and check the ingredients, allergens and best-before date on the pack you choose.
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Tony's Chocolonely Chocolate Gift Pack, 288 g
A chocolate gift to take along to an informal drinks get-together or share. The pack contains 288 g; if any guests have allergies, check the ingredients and allergens on the latest label.
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Celebrations Chocolate Assorted, 385 g
A selection of chocolates to serve or take along if you’re looking for something sweet. The pack contains 385 g; if you have allergies, read the label for this specific version.
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Milka Chocolate Assortment Party Pack, 143 g
A chocolate selection to share if you’d like to serve a sweet treat at your drinks get-together. The pack contains 143 g; check the ingredients and allergens on the pack you’ve chosen before serving.
Frequently asked questions
Do all currant buns contain added iodine?
You can’t assume that every currant bun does. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says that iodine compounds may be present in bread and other baked goods through the addition of baker’s salt containing up to 65 mg of iodine per kg of salt. This doesn’t mean it’s used in every currant bun. If this matters to your choice, check the ingredients on the pack you’ve chosen.
Which allergens should I check when sharing currant buns or chocolate?
Read the allergen information on the specific pack before offering anything to your guests. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority says allergens must be clearly identified in the ingredients list. The currant buns described by PLUS list wheat, rye and milk, among other ingredients; the Celebrations selection described by Jumbo lists milk, peanuts, soya, wheat, barley and egg, among other ingredients.
Can I buy currant buns well in advance of the get-together?
You can, as long as the best-before date and storage instructions on the pack you’ve chosen fit your plans. PLUS says its currant buns can be frozen at home on the day of purchase and should be used within one month. Don’t apply these instructions to another version without checking first.
Is a box of chocolates always a better gift?
No. A box of chocolates is a good choice when presentation and a variety of flavours are the priority, while currant buns are a better fit if you want to take along a bread-based option for drinks. In either case, check that the pack is easy to share and that the recipients can eat its ingredients.