If you want to give each guest one substantial sweet bread snack, look for giant currant or raisin buns. If you want slices for a sharing board, choose currant loaf sold sliced or partly sliced. Standard and mini currant buns are better for smaller individual portions. Whichever you choose, check the packaging for size, ingredients, allergens and storage instructions.
A giant bun is a good choice if you want to give each guest a larger portion without having to slice it first. Jumbo, Lidl, ALDI and PLUS list giant raisin or currant buns; check each product to see whether it contains raisins, currants or a mixture of both.
If you’re putting slices on a platter, how the loaf is cut matters more than the size of an individual bun. ALDI offers a partly sliced Drentse loaf, while Jumbo lists options including sliced krentenwegge.
If you’re shopping for guests, you can compare the nutritional information per 100 g and per portion with the ingredients and allergen information. Jumbo lists 2.8 g of fibre and 1.02 g of salt per 100 g for its standard raisin-and-currant buns; these figures do not necessarily apply to other varieties.
First decide whether you want to serve individual buns or shareable slices at your Friday afternoon get-together. Then compare the portion size and the information on the packaging.
Choose these if: you want to give each guest one larger sweet bread snack without any slicing.
Bear in mind: you’ll still need to cut the buns up if you want small, equal-sized bites to serve with drinks.
Choose this if: slices for a sharing board matter more than individual buns.
Bear in mind: a partly sliced loaf may still need some cutting; check how the product you choose has been sliced.
Choose these if: you want to serve individual portions without slicing a loaf.
Bear in mind: the weight per portion varies by variety, so check the packaging if portion size matters.
Choose these if: you want guests to help themselves to small individual bites.
Bear in mind: a mini bun won’t necessarily be a suitable substitute for the larger snack you had in mind.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters most to |
|---|---|---|
| Portion size | Check whether you’re looking at a standard, mini or giant bun, and compare the number of buns and, where listed, the weight per portion. | If I want to serve each guest one substantial sweet snack, I don’t want to accidentally choose a mini size. A generous portion is the priority for around 36% of consumers. |
| Shareability | Check whether the loaf is sold sliced, partly sliced or unsliced; the term ‘thick cut’ doesn’t tell you how this pack has been sliced. | If you want to put slices on a sharing board, individual buns that still need cutting up aren’t much use. Shareability is the main consideration for around 29% of consumers. |
| Nutritional information and allergens | Compare fibre, sugars and salt per 100 g and per portion, and read the allergen information on the packaging you choose. | When shopping for guests, I want to be able to check the ingredients and nutritional value, especially if allergens are a consideration. Around 21% of consumers prioritise checking the label. |
| Buying in advance | Check current availability and follow the storage and any freezing instructions on the specific packaging. | If I’m shopping in advance, I want to know how to store the buns until the get-together and whether the size I want is available. For around 14% of consumers, this practical convenience matters most. |
A giant bun gives you a different size, but it won’t automatically provide slices for a sharing board. A giant raisin bun is also not necessarily the same product as a currant bun.
Check the product name and choose sliced or partly sliced currant loaf if you want slices.
A wholemeal variety may still contain ingredients or allergens that your guests need to be aware of. Nutritional values also vary by product.
Read the ingredients, allergen information and nutritional information on the exact pack you’re buying.
According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bakers are not required to use baker’s salt. So you can’t tell whether it’s present just from the product category.
Check the label for baker’s salt or iodised salt, or ask the baker if this is relevant to your choice.
Jumbo states that its mini wholemeal raisin-and-currant buns are no longer in its online range. Being able to find a product page doesn’t mean you can order the product for your get-together.
Check availability with your chosen shop just before buying, and reassess any alternative for size and ingredients.
Albert Heijn lists standard and wholemeal raisin-and-currant buns, as well as other sizes.
Jumbo lists individual raisin-and-currant buns and giant raisin buns, as well as krentenwegge sold in slices.
PLUS lists bags of six currant buns and bags of four Korenlanders giant raisin-and-currant buns.
ALDI lists standard raisin-and-currant buns, giant raisin buns and a partly sliced Drentse loaf.
Lidl Netherlands lists currant buns, as well as mini and giant raisin-and-currant buns.
Don’t assume so. If you want slices, look for a product sold as sliced or partly sliced currant loaf, and check how it’s cut and its size on the packaging.
Giant buns are a good choice if you want to give each guest one larger individual snack; currant loaf is better if you want to serve slices. Check whether the loaf is fully or partly sliced so you know how much preparation is needed.
No, don’t assume that without checking the label. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, bakers aren’t required to use baker’s salt; check the packaging or ask the baker.
Read the allergen information on the exact packaging you plan to serve. Wheat and milk, among other ingredients, are relevant to the AH and Jumbo varieties described here, but ingredients and warnings can vary by variety.
Follow the instructions on the packaging you choose. PLUS states that its longer-fresh currant buns can be frozen at home on the day of purchase; don’t assume the same instructions apply to other varieties.
