Who is this buying guide for?

Value-conscious shoppers who use up leftovers

You want enough dried fruit for your drinks party and plan to use any leftovers later. Jumbo lists sultanas in 250, 500 and 750 g packs, so choose an amount that you’ll actually use.

Mindful party planners

You’re looking for a sweet addition and want to check added sugars, fruit varieties and allergens. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre distinguishes between dried fruit with no added sugar and its sugar content; check the information for the exact variety, too.

Households that prefer not to open everything at once

You want to keep some portions unopened. A multipack with individually packed items or a smaller resealable pack could be a good fit; follow the storage instructions for the product you choose. Albert Heijn states that the apricots in its 2-pack are supplied as two separate items.

What should you look for in dried fruit?

Large bag of sultanas

A good fit if: you want to serve one type of fruit and use any leftovers later. Jumbo lists sultanas in 250, 500 and 750 g packs.

Keep in mind: you’ll need to use the larger amount after your drinks party.

Multipack of soaked apricots

A good fit if: you want to serve apricots and prefer to open one pack at a time. The AH 2-pack contains two separate 250 g items.

Keep in mind: AH says these apricots must be refrigerated after opening at a maximum of 7 °C.

Bag of mixed dried fruit

A good fit if: you want several types of fruit in one purchase. PLUS Tutti frutti contains plums, apricots, peach, pears and apple.

Keep in mind: PLUS says to rinse this mix with lukewarm water before use.

Smaller resealable pack

A good fit if: you’re looking for a small addition to other party snacks. ALDI lists a 200 g resealable pack for its cranberry and sultana varieties.

Keep in mind: check the ingredients of the specific variety; not every large bag is resealable.

What to consider What to look for Who might it matter more to?
Quantity and using leftovers Compare the weight of the same type of fruit and consider how much will be left after your drinks party. I don’t want to open more than we can use afterwards; around 29% of consumers prioritise value based on the amount they actually use.
Sugars in the nutritional information Check both added sugars and total sugars per 100 g. PLUS Tutti frutti lists 0 g added sugars and 47,3 g sugars per 100 g. I want to know how much sugar has been added and how much sugar the fruit itself contains; around 24% of consumers prioritise ingredients. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends no more than a handful of dried fruit.
Variety in the mix Check which types of fruit it contains. PLUS Tutti frutti is made up of 50% plums, 20% apricots and 10% each of peach, pears and apple. I want to serve several types of fruit without choosing different packs; around 18% of consumers prioritise fruit variety.
Opening and storage Check whether a multipack contains separate items and follow the storage instructions for the exact variety. AH Soaked dried apricots must be refrigerated after opening at a maximum of 7 °C. I want to be able to leave some portions unopened and store leftovers appropriately; around 18% of consumers make managing leftovers their main priority. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends storing dry tutti frutti in a cool, dry, dark place in a tightly sealed container.
Allergens for guests Read the ingredients list and allergen information on the packaging. The AH apricots and PLUS Tutti frutti reviewed list sulphites. I want to accommodate guests who need to avoid certain ingredients; around 11% of consumers prioritise suitability for guests. The NVWA requires that mandatory allergens are clearly identified on prepacked food.

Common buying mistakes

  • Assuming a larger pack is automatically better value

    A larger bag is only practical if you’ll use the extra amount, too. Jumbo’s sultanas are available in several pack sizes.

    Choose an amount based on what you’ll serve at your drinks party and genuinely use up afterwards.

  • Confusing unsweetened with sugar-free

    PLUS Tutti frutti lists 0 g added sugars, but contains 47,3 g total sugars per 100 g. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends no more than a handful of dried fruit.

    Check the nutrition table alongside the ingredients list and decide in advance how much you want to serve.

  • Storing dry and soaked fruit in the same way

    AH Soaked dried apricots must be refrigerated after opening at a maximum of 7 °C. This is different from the storage advice for dry tutti frutti.

    Follow the instructions on the pack and, with a multipack, open only the item you need.

  • Serving a fruit mix without checking the label

    The AH apricots and PLUS Tutti frutti reviewed list sulphites. So a fruit product isn’t automatically suitable for every guest.

    Check the ingredients and allergen information on the specific pack and keep it available for guests.

Brands to consider for dried fruit

Albert Heijn

A useful example of a multipack of soaked apricots.

  • The 2-pack contains two separate 250 g items.
  • The apricots contain sulphites and must be refrigerated after opening at a maximum of 7 °C.

Jumbo

A useful example of different pack sizes within the same sultana range.

  • The official range information lists 250, 500 and 750 g packs.
  • A larger pack means you’ll need to use up the leftovers.

Lidl

A useful example of a product called Dried Fruit Mix.

  • The product name confirms it’s a mixed-fruit option.
  • Check the specific pack for its weight, ingredients and nutritional information.

ALDI

A useful example of 500 g sultanas and smaller individual fruit varieties.

  • The product information lists 500 g sultanas; another product option is a 200 g resealable pack.
  • The resealable pack is part of the smaller product range and says nothing about whether the larger bag of sultanas can be resealed.

PLUS

A useful example of 500 g bag of Tutti frutti.

  • The listed ingredients are 50% plums, 20% apricots and 10% each of peach, pears and apple. The nutritional information lists 0 g added sugars and 47,3 g sugars per 100 g.
  • The product lists sulphites; the instructions say to rinse it with lukewarm water before use.

Dirk

A useful example of a 750 g bag of sultanas.

  • The range page lists sultanas in this pack size.
  • Don’t use information about this variety as proof that products from other brands have the same ingredients or characteristics.

Joybuy products for your drinks party

This Joybuy pick is a large pack of Medjool dates for anyone who wants to serve one type of fruit and use any leftovers later.

Zohra Medjool dates (M), 908 g

Zohra Medjool dates (M), 908 g

The pack contains 908 g of Medjool dates, making it a good choice for a drinks party where you want to serve one type of fruit.

Store in a cool, dry place and keep the pack sealed after opening.

View at Joybuy

Frequently asked questions

How do I work out how much dried fruit I need for my drinks party?

Plan dried fruit as an addition to your other snacks and decide first how much you want to serve. Only factor in leftovers that you’ll genuinely use later. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends no more than a handful of dried fruit; this is dietary advice, not a legal portion limit.

Should dried fruit be rinsed before serving?

Follow the instructions on the specific pack. PLUS says to rinse its Tutti frutti with lukewarm water; don’t automatically apply this instruction to all sultanas or soaked apricots.

Can all leftovers be kept in the kitchen cupboard?

No, storage instructions vary by product. AH Soaked dried apricots must be refrigerated after opening at a maximum of 7 °C. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre recommends storing dry tutti frutti in a cool, dry, dark place in a tightly sealed container; always follow the instructions on the pack you have.

Is dried fruit with no added sugar sugar-free?

No. PLUS Tutti frutti lists 0 g added sugars, but 47,3 g total sugars per 100 g. Check both figures separately in the nutritional information.

Which allergen information should I check for my guests?

Check the ingredients list and allergen information on the exact pack. The NVWA requires mandatory allergens to be clearly identified; the AH apricots and PLUS Tutti frutti reviewed list sulphites.