Small households looking to reduce leftovers
If you only need a few portions, half a currant loaf lets you choose how much to serve. If you want to buy buns for more than one occasion, check whether the pack you choose is suitable for freezing.
Who is this choice relevant to?
Christmas market stallholders
When serving or selling, portion size, hygienic handling and the allergen information for the exact product all matter. Individual buns don’t need cutting, while a loaf lets you decide how thick to cut the slices.
Anyone serving small samples
Mini buns are a different portion size from regular currant buns or slices of bread. For example, Lidl lists a pack of nine mini raisin and currant buns; check that this quantity suits your serving plan.
What should you consider when choosing?
Half a currant loaf
Choose this if: you want to decide how thick to cut the slices for a small group; Bakkerij ten Broeke lists a half-loaf of sliced currant bread.
Bear in mind: the way the loaf is sliced, its ingredients and the allergens in the loaf you actually buy.
Regular currant buns
Choose this if: you want to serve whole buns without cutting; Albert Heijn, Jumbo, PLUS and ALDI each list a pack of six.
Bear in mind: you may have buns left over if you need fewer portions than the pack contains.
Mini buns
Choose this if: you’d rather offer small individual samples than whole regular buns.
Bear in mind: how many portions you expect to serve; choosing a larger bag won’t automatically prevent leftovers.
First, work out how many portions you need and how you want to serve them. Then compare the pack contents, storage instructions and information on the packaging.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Right-sized quantity | Compare the weight or number of items with the portions you expect to need. | If I’m buying for a small group, I don’t want to be left with a large part of the loaf. Getting the quantity right would be the main concern for around 36% of consumers. |
| Portion size | Count the portions you need to serve and choose between slices, regular buns and mini buns. | At a stall, I want to serve portions without having to keep cutting. Ready-to-serve portions would be the top priority for around 29% of consumers. |
| Storage | Read the storage instructions and check whether you can freeze the product on the day you buy it. | If I’m not using everything straight away, I want to know in advance what to do with the rest. Storage would be the main concern when buying for around 21% of consumers. |
| Ingredients | Check the current allergen information; if you wish, see whether iodised salt or baker’s salt is listed. | If I’m serving guests with an allergy, I need to know the ingredients in this exact product. Ingredient information would be the main consideration for around 14% of consumers. |
Common mistakes
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Treating half a loaf like a small bag of buns
You cut a half currant loaf into slices, while currant buns are already individual portions. This affects how much cutting you’ll need to do and what might be left over.
Before you buy, decide whether you want to serve slices, whole buns or small samples, then count how many portions you need.
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Thinking about storage only after serving
If you have bread left over, a storage plan can help reduce waste. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends freezing bread in portions as soon as you get it home.
Read the instructions for the product you choose, and divide it into portions on the day you buy it if you plan to freeze it.
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Assuming all currant bread contains iodine
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. So the product category alone won’t tell you which type of salt has been used.
Check the label for iodised salt or baker’s salt, or ask the baker about the exact loaf.
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Serving unpackaged food without a hygiene and allergen plan
The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority requires food at markets and events to be prepared, sold and stored safely and hygienically. If you’re selling unpackaged products, you must be able to give customers allergen information.
Protect portions from handling and dirt, maintain good hand hygiene, and keep the allergen information for the product you’re using close at hand.
Brands and shops to consider
Albert Heijn
The AH variety reviewed comes in a pack of six raisin and currant buns.
- The product page lists a 65 g portion and states that it contains iodised salt.
- Ingredients and allergens may change; check the current packaging before serving.
Jumbo
The own-brand variety reviewed contains six raisin and currant buns.
- The product page lists six portions and recommends storing the product in a cool, dry place.
- The variety listed contains wheat and milk; also check for any other allergens it may contain.
PLUS
The varieties reviewed include regular currant buns in packs of six or eight, and mini buns in packs of nine.
- For the packs of six and eight reviewed, PLUS recommends freezing them on the day of purchase.
- Both regular varieties reviewed list wheat, milk and lactose; check the label for all allergens.
ALDI
The products reviewed are packs of six raisin and currant buns and a partly sliced 700 g Drenthe loaf.
- The two formats let you choose between individual buns and slices you can cut to your preferred size.
- Check which variety is available in store and read the packaging of the product you choose.
Lidl
The products reviewed include nine mini raisin and currant buns, 360 g of mini wholemeal raisin buns and 450 g of raisin and currant bread.
- Compare the listed mini and loaf formats to find the portion size you want to serve.
- Check the ingredients and allergens on the exact pack in store.
Related products on Joybuy
Related products coming soon.
Frequently asked questions
When should I choose half a currant loaf rather than currant buns?
Half a currant loaf is a good choice if you want to decide how thick to cut the slices for a small group. If you want to serve whole portions without cutting, compare the number you need with packs of individual buns, including packs of six.
What should I do with currant buns I’m not using straight away?
Follow the storage instructions on the packaging and check whether freezing is recommended for your product. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends freezing bread in portions as soon as you get it home; the Albert Heijn and PLUS product pages reviewed recommend freezing on the day of purchase.
Do Dutch currant buns always contain iodine?
No, you can’t tell from the name currant buns alone. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says that bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt. So check whether the label lists iodised salt or baker’s salt, or ask the baker.
How should I provide allergen information when selling at a Christmas market?
Use the current information for the exact product you’re selling, even if you’re offering the buns unpackaged. The supermarket varieties reviewed list ingredients including wheat and milk; the possible presence of other allergens varies by pack.
What should I consider when selling currant buns at a Christmas market?
Prepare, store and sell food safely and hygienically, as advised by the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority for markets and events. According to the authority’s step-by-step guide, you must register if you sell food several times a year. Also check the requirements set by the organiser and your local council for your market.