Hosts of an informal coffee gathering
If you want to put something bread-based straight on the table, currant buns are a good fit. Think about how many people will be eating and whether you want to serve the buns with or without a topping.
Which option is right for you?
Anyone buying a thank-you gift or a treat to share
If you want the packaging to be part of the gesture, a box of chocolates is worth considering. An assortment of individual pieces can be handy when several people are choosing a treat.
Anyone who needs to check ingredients
If allergens or other ingredients matter, only choose once you’ve read the label on the exact pack. This applies to both bread rolls and chocolate assortments, as ingredients vary from product to product.
What should you look for when choosing?
First, decide whether you want bread rolls to serve straight away or a packaged treat to give as a gift or share. Then compare the quantity and the information on the packaging.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Ready to serve | Check how many currant buns there are, the use-by date and whether you want to serve them with or without a topping. | If I want to put something bread-based out with coffee straight away, the main thing is whether the pack suits my guests. Around 40% of consumers would have ready-to-serve food as their main priority. |
| Gifting and sharing | Check the presentation, the number of pieces and whether they’re individually wrapped; check each box separately. | For a thank-you gift, I want something I can hand over that the recipient can share if they wish. For around 30% of consumers, gifting or sharing would be the main consideration. |
| Ingredients and nutrition information | Read the current allergen information and, if needed, compare the nutrition information per 100 g and per portion. For currant buns, check whether baker’s salt has been used if that matters to your choice. | If I need to take ingredients or allergens into account, I check the exact packaging first, rather than relying on the product type alone. For around 30% of consumers, this would be their main purchasing priority. |
Common mistakes
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Assuming every currant bun is made with iodised baker’s salt
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. So you can’t tell from the product type alone.
Check the label or ask the baker which salt was used for the currant buns you’re choosing.
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Choosing a box of chocolates for a group without reading the label
Ingredients and allergens vary between assortments and varieties. A brand name or flavour description doesn’t tell you enough about the box you’re serving.
Read the current ingredients list and allergen information before buying, then check the packaging again before serving.
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Choosing the largest gift box without checking the portions
A gift box may suit the occasion, but the total weight doesn’t necessarily tell you how many individual pieces you can hand out.
Match the number of pieces, individual wrapping and quantity you need to the size of your group.
Brands to consider
Albert Heijn
Albert Heijn has product categories for both currant buns and chocolate gifts. This makes it easy to compare the two types of treats.
- You can weigh up a pack of bread rolls against different chocolate and praline formats.
- Check the current quantity, ingredients and nutrition information for the product you choose.
Merci
The Merci Gift Box is designed for giving and sharing. Albert Heijn describes it as a mix of 32 individually wrapped pieces, with milk and dark chocolate varieties.
- The individually wrapped pieces make it clear how many portions you can hand out.
- Check the current label for the specific box if ingredients or allergens are important.
Celebrations
Celebrations features in Albert Heijn’s chocolate gifts category and is a brand to consider if you want to share an assortment of chocolates.
- There are several sizes within the gift category mentioned.
- Don’t assume the number of portions, ingredients or allergens from the brand name; check the size you choose.
Delicata
Delicata features in Albert Heijn’s praline range and is worth considering if you’re specifically looking for chocolates to serve with coffee or give as a gift.
- Pralines offer a different format from currant buns or a box of chocolate bars.
- Check the ingredients, portions and allergens for each Delicata product.
Chocolate treats on Joybuy
These products suit anyone choosing chocolate to give or share with coffee. The list also includes tubes and chocolate wafers, so not every product is a gift box or praline assortment. Compare the packaging and portions with the occasion you’re buying for.
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Merci Petits Chocolate Collection, 125 g
A chocolate assortment to share over coffee.
The pack states 125 g. Check the number of pieces and whether they’re individually wrapped if you’re planning portions.
If you have allergies, read the current ingredients list and warnings on the packaging.
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Milka Thank You Pralines Milk Cream, 110 g
Pralines to give as a chocolate thank-you gift or serve with coffee.
The pack states 110 g. Check the number of pralines and whether they’re individually wrapped if you plan to hand them out.
Check the current allergen information before choosing them for others.
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Kahve Dunyasi Gofrik Pistachio Paste Milk Chocolate, 10 × 12,5 g
Chocolate wafers with pistachio flavour, served as individual portions with coffee.
The product name states 10 × 12,5 g. Check the packaging for the exact type of chocolate: product descriptions list different varieties.
Also read the current allergen information and any warnings.
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Smarties Milk Chocolate Tubes, 6 × 34 g
Six tubes you can hand out individually at an informal coffee gathering; these aren’t pralines or a gift box.
The product name states 6 × 34 g. Check the packaging for portion sizes and current allergen information.
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Milka Chocolate Assortment Party Pack, 143 g
A chocolate assortment to share at the coffee table.
The pack states 143 g. Check the number of pieces and the mix of flavours if these will determine whether the assortment suits your group.
Check the current ingredients and allergens on the packaging.
Frequently asked questions
Should I choose currant buns or a box of chocolates with coffee?
Choose currant buns if you want to serve bread rolls straight away; choose a box of chocolates if gift packaging or handing out individual pieces matters more. Either way, check the quantity and the ingredients and allergens for the product you choose.
Are all Dutch currant buns made with iodised baker’s salt?
No, you shouldn’t assume that. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. Check the label or ask the baker if you want to know.
How do I check the allergens in a box of chocolates?
Read the ingredients list and allergen information on the exact box you’re buying. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains how allergens are listed on the labels of pre-packed foods. Don’t rely on the ingredients of another product or an earlier pack.
Can I compare chocolate and currant buns by nutritional value?
Yes. Compare the nutrition information for the specific products per 100 g and, where provided, per portion. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre highlights the amount of saturated fat and energy in chocolate; the two product types aren’t directly interchangeable.