Choose a large bag if you enjoy that type of fruit and will use the leftovers after the match, too. A fruit mix or smaller packs are a better fit if you want variety or would rather not have much left over. Put out a modest amount: dried fruit with no added sugar still contains sugars.
You want to put out a bowl for an Oranje match and need enough to go round. Jumbo, ALDI, PLUS and Dirk offer, among other things, packs of raisins weighing 500 g or 750 g. Also consider whether you’ll use the leftovers in your usual meals and snacks at home.
You want to serve dried fruit and are keeping an eye on added sugar and portion sizes. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre points out that dried fruit with no added sugar still contains a lot of sugar; a bulk bag is not a recommended portion size.
You’re buying for a few people or a group with different tastes, and don’t want to open more bags than necessary. Smaller packs and fruit mixes may be a good fit. If allergies are a concern, check the ingredients on each individual pack.
First choose an amount and mix of fruit to suit your group. Then think about how you’ll store and use any leftovers.
| What to consider | What should you look for? | Who is this most relevant to? |
|---|---|---|
| Quantity and using leftovers | Check the net weight and consider whether you’ll use the leftovers after the match. | I want enough to share, but I also want to know that I’ll use what’s left at home. Around 29% of consumers prioritise choosing the right amount and using leftovers. |
| Ingredients and portions | Read the ingredients and nutrition information; decide for yourself how much to put out. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises having no more than a handful of dried fruit with no added sugar. | If I put out a bowl, I want to be able to check the ingredients and choose the amount myself. Around 24% of consumers prioritise these considerations. |
| Variety | Choose fruit your group will enjoy and check the ingredients of the specific mix. | I want to offer different types of fruit without opening a separate bag of each. Around 18% of consumers prioritise variety. |
| Storing after opening | Read the storage instructions on the pack and decide in advance how you’ll use any leftovers. Follow the Netherlands Nutrition Centre’s advice to store raisins and dried apricots in a cool, dry, dark place in a tightly sealed container. | After the match, I want to know how to store and use an opened pack. Around 18% of consumers prioritise storing leftovers and making use of them. |
| Allergens and ingredients | Check the ingredients and allergen information for each variety, especially for fruit and nut mixes. The NVWA provides guidance on allergen labelling. | If someone at the table has a relevant allergy or sensitivity, I want to check the exact pack. Around 11% of consumers prioritise checking that a product is suitable. |
PLUS’s Pagysa Sultana raisins contain 0 g of added sugars alongside 68,2 g of sugars per 100 g. These figures describe different things.
Check both the ingredients and the nutrition information, then decide separately how much to serve.
A larger bag gives you more to share, but may not suit your group’s eating habits. You’ll also need to want to use whatever is left after the match.
Choose a pack size based on what you want to serve and what you’d normally use at home.
A mix may contain nuts or other ingredients as well as fruit. The product name alone doesn’t tell you enough about its ingredients or whether it’s suitable for everyone.
Check the ingredients and allergen information for the exact variety, and keep the packaging if you’re serving guests.
An option to consider if you’re comparing pack sizes in the raisin range.
A useful option if you want to compare pack sizes in the sultana range.
An option to consider if you’re looking at smaller packs of different dried fruits.
Worth considering for raisins and for a separate range of fruit and nut products.
An option for both raisins and a pack containing a variety of dried fruit.
Worth considering if you’re looking for a larger bag of raisins.
These Joybuy options range from a larger mixed bundle to smaller packs containing a specific type of fruit. Check the ingredients for each product, including any nuts or sulphites.
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A good fit if you want to share nuts and other snacks as well as dried fruit.
The product title lists a 5-pack with a total weight of 1.073 kg.
Contains tree nuts; the plum component contains aspartame (E951).
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A good fit if you specifically want to serve dried loquat in a smaller pack.
The product information lists sugar, syrup and sulphites.
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A good fit if you want to pair dried dates with nuts in a smaller pack.
Contains walnuts.
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A good fit if you want to put out a small pack of dried strawberries.
The product information lists sugar and a resealable pack.
Don’t use the size of the bulk bag as a guide to portions. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre advises having no more than a handful of dried fruit with no added sugar, as it contains a lot of sugar. Small bowls filled in advance make it easier to choose a sensible amount.
For regular raisins and dried apricots, the Netherlands Nutrition Centre says they can be kept in a kitchen cupboard for 6–9 months after opening. Store them in a cool, dry, dark place in a tightly sealed container. Don’t automatically apply this advice to mixed products or other products; follow the instructions on the pack.
No, ingredients vary from product to product. Check the ingredients and allergen information on the exact pack, especially if nuts or a particular sensitivity are a concern.
Check the ingredients list and allergen information for the exact product. The NVWA explains that 14 allergens must be declared. Sulphites may be present in dried fruit, according to Stichting Voedselallergie; check the specific pack if sulphites are a concern for anyone eating it.
No, a large pack is best if you enjoy that type of fruit and will use the leftovers after the match. Choose smaller packs or a mix if you want to open less or have more variety.
