Students with a short exam period
Want a ready-to-eat, individually portioned snack for a few days of revision, without being left with a whole loaf.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Small households with freezer space
Want to save portions for later revision days and can freeze any uneaten currant buns on the day they buy them.
Students comparing nutritional values
Are looking for a base they can top themselves and are particularly interested in fibre and sugar per 100 g.
What should you consider when choosing?
First decide whether you want a ready-to-eat currant bun or bread with your own toppings. Then compare the amount you can use and the information on the label.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Quantity and storage | Count the buns or bread portions, and check the freezing advice for the pack you choose. | If I’m only revising for a few days, I don’t want leftovers going to waste. Around 33% of consumers prioritise choosing the right amount. |
| Ready-to-eat snack | Compare the number of buns and portion size with the snack you’re looking for. | I want to be able to grab something while revising without having to slice or top bread first. For around 25% of consumers, convenience is the main priority. |
| Fibre and sugar | Compare the nutritional values per 100 g and bear in mind any toppings you might add to the bread. | If I choose my own toppings, I want to know how the bread compares with a currant bun in terms of fibre and sugar. These nutritional values are a priority for around 25% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the current ingredients list and allergen information for the exact variety you’re buying. | If I need to avoid certain ingredients, I can’t rely on the product name alone. Checking the label is the main thing to consider for around 17% of consumers. |
For a specific comparison, Jumbo lists 2.8 g of fibre and 24.0 g of sugar per 100 g for its raisin and currant buns. Jumbo Rond Bruin Half lists 5.3 g of fibre and 1.2 g of sugar per 100 g. You’ll still need to slice the bread yourself and add any toppings; their nutritional values come on top of those for the bread.
Common mistakes when choosing
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Buying a larger bag without a storage plan
Anything you don’t eat within a few days may go stale. The Voedingscentrum advises that opened currant buns can be kept in a kitchen cupboard for 2–4 days or in the freezer for 1–3 months; bread that has been frozen for longer may become drier.
Choose an amount that will last for your planned revision days, or divide any unused buns into freezer portions on the day you buy them. PLUS advises using its pack of eight within one month of freezing them at home.
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Assuming half a loaf is the same kind of snack
The Jumbo half loaf of brown bread compared here contains more fibre and less sugar per 100 g than Jumbo’s currant buns, but it needs slicing and may need toppings. It doesn’t offer the same sweet, ready-to-eat portion.
Choose according to when you’ll eat it: a currant bun to grab straight away, or bread if you want to put together your own topped snack.
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Guessing allergens from the name
The Jumbo and PLUS currant buns reviewed list wheat and milk ingredients. Information about possible traces varies by product.
Check the ingredients and allergen information on the pack of the variety you choose every time you buy it.
Brands compared
Jumbo
Jumbo lists both a bag of six raisin and currant buns and Rond Bruin Half, so you can compare these two types of product within the same range.
- Nutritional values per 100 g are listed for both products.
- The currant buns are made with white wheat flour. The difference in nutritional values applies to this specific comparison, not to all bread and currant buns.
PLUS
PLUS lists standard currant buns in packs of six, a pack of eight, and giant currant and raisin buns in packs of four.
- For its pack of eight, PLUS says you can freeze the buns at home on the day you buy them and should use them within one month.
- Pack sizes and bun sizes vary, so compare the portion you actually want to eat and check the label of the variety you choose.
ALDI
ALDI lists raisin and currant buns in a pack of six as an in-store product.
- The pack size is clearly stated, which is useful if you’re looking for a smaller bag.
- Check the ingredients, allergens and nutritional values on the pack in store.
Lidl
Lidl lists currant buns in packs of six and says they are sold in store.
- The pack contains a set number of buns, making it easier to plan your snack breaks.
- Check the pack for the ingredients, allergens and nutritional values of the product available.
Albert Heijn
The AH Rozijnen krentenbollen described here provide an example of a label for a pack containing six 65 g portions.
- The product information includes ingredients and advice to freeze the buns at home on the day you buy them.
- Albert Heijn marks this specific pack as no longer part of its range on the relevant product page. For a purchase, check the current in-store range and the label.
Bread options on Joybuy
These wholemeal loaves are suited to slicing and topping yourself, rather than eating like a ready-to-eat currant bun. Neither is described as half a loaf: the first product is one 550 g loaf, while the second contains two 550 g loaves. Bear the quantity and preparation in mind when choosing.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij Whole Wheat Country Round Bread 550 g
An option if you’d rather slice and top your own bread than eat a currant bun straight away.
Pack size: 550 g. The bread needs to be defrosted and baked before use; check the preparation instructions on the pack.
Before comparing nutritional values, check the basis stated on the label.
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Lekhaven Bakkerij Whole Wheat Country Round Bread 550 g × 2
An option if you’re planning several bread-based meals ahead and have space to store the larger quantity.
Pack size: two 550 g loaves. The loaves need to be defrosted and baked before use; check the preparation instructions on the pack.
When comparing nutritional values, check which quantity the values on the label refer to.
Frequently asked questions
How should I store opened currant buns during exam week?
The Voedingscentrum advises that opened currant buns can be kept in a kitchen cupboard for 2–4 days or in the freezer for 1–3 months. Divide any buns you won’t eat in time into portions, and follow the storage instructions on the pack too.
Is a pack of eight handy for a small household?
A pack of eight works if you can store the extra buns for later. PLUS says that its particular pack can be frozen at home on the day you buy it and recommends using it within one month.
Does half a loaf of brown bread contain less sugar than currant buns?
For the Jumbo products compared here, it does: Rond Bruin Half lists 1.2 g of sugar and the raisin and currant buns list 24.0 g of sugar per 100 g. For other products, check the nutritional values per 100 g again and count any toppings separately.
Can I rely on the product name if I have a wheat or milk allergy?
No. Check the allergen information on the exact pack. The Jumbo and PLUS currant buns reviewed list wheat and milk ingredients; information about possible traces may vary between varieties.
What does baker’s salt on an ingredients list mean?
The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority describes baker’s salt as the permitted way to add iodine compounds to bread and other baked goods. The listing alone doesn’t tell you how much iodine a particular currant bun contains; check that product’s label to see which ingredients have been used.