Player looking for a snack for themselves
Wants a bread-based portion to enjoy during a longer session and pays attention to the weight per item, nutritional information and use-by date.
Who is each snack best for?
Host planning to share snacks
Looking for individually wrapped pieces or a selection of flavours for a gaming night. With a box of chocolates, the number of pieces and the allergens across the whole selection determine whether it’s suitable for the group.
Shopper comparing labels
Wants to check ingredients and allergens before buying, or compare nutritional values such as sugars, fat and salt. Whether iodised salt is listed may also be a consideration.
What should you look for when choosing?
First decide whether you want a portion for yourself or something to share. Then compare the exact packs: a currant bun and a piece of chocolate aren’t equivalent portions.
| What to consider | What to check before buying | Who should pay particular attention? |
|---|---|---|
| Portion for a gaming session | Check the weight per item and the number of items; read the nutritional values per portion and per 100 g. | If I want to grab something for myself without sharing a box, having a clear, bread-based portion matters most. For around 40% of consumers, portion size is the top priority when making this choice. |
| Sharing or giving as a gift | Count the individual pieces and check which flavours are included in the pack. | For a gaming night, I want something I can share with the group, or a box I can bring as a gift. For around 40% of consumers, sharing or giving as a gift is the main consideration. |
| Label and ingredients | Check the allergens and any possible traces; compare sugars, fat and salt per portion and per 100 g, and check the ingredients list for salt information if needed. | If I need to take ingredients or allergens into account, checking the label comes before the type of packaging. An estimated 20% of consumers prioritise checking the label when making this choice. |
Common mistakes when choosing
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Assuming every currant bun contains iodised baker’s salt
According to Voedingscentrum, baking with baker’s salt is not compulsory; Brood.net notes that using baker’s salt containing iodine is not a legal requirement. So the ingredients in one currant bun won’t necessarily be the same as those in every pack.
If baker’s salt or iodised salt is important to your choice, read the ingredients list on the product you’ve selected.
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Sharing a box of chocolates without checking the label
The merci selection box examined contains milk, almonds, hazelnuts and soya, among other ingredients, and also warns that other allergens may be present. One suitable flavour doesn’t mean the whole box is suitable for everyone.
If you’re sharing with a group, ask about allergies in advance and check the ingredients and warnings on the exact box.
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Comparing nutritional values per 100 g only
A bun and a piece of chocolate won’t necessarily weigh the same. Values per 100 g are useful for comparing products, while the information per portion shows what’s in an individual item.
Check both sets of values and consider how many pieces you want to share from the pack you choose.
Brands and product ranges to consider
AH
Albert Heijn lists a pack of ten raisin and currant buns, each weighing 65 g, as an example of a multipack.
- The number of buns and the weight per bun make portion sizes clear in advance.
- The product examined contains wheat and milk; check the packaging if you have allergies. The ingredients won’t necessarily be the same across other AH bakery products.
merci
The merci selection box examined at Jumbo contains 20 individually wrapped chocolate bars in a 250 g pack.
- Individual pieces make it easy to share without having to break up a large bar.
- The box examined contains milk, almonds, hazelnuts and soya, among other ingredients. Also check the warnings on the box you choose for the possible presence of other allergens.
Jumbo
Jumbo lists packs of six raisin and currant buns, with each bun weighing 65 g.
- A pack of six provides a different number of portions from the AH multipack examined.
- The Jumbo product examined contains gluten, milk and wheat. Check the current allergen information and use-by date; other Jumbo products may differ.
Chocolate snacks to share or give as a gift
These Joybuy products are chocolate selections and multipacks of wafers, bars or tubes for a gaming night. They’re not a substitute for a currant bun if you’re specifically looking for a bread-based portion; check how many pieces each pack contains.
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Nestle Kitkat Itoen Matcha & Chocolate, 9 pieces, 104,4 g
A pack of nine pieces for anyone who wants to offer matcha and chocolate at a gaming night. Before buying, check the use-by date and, if you have allergies, the current label.
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Kahve Dunyasi Gofrik Pistachio Paste Milk Chocolate, 10 × 12,5 g
The ten portions are ideal for sharing chocolate wafers. Pistachio is one of the ingredients in this variety; before sharing, read the full allergen information on the packaging.
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Smarties Milk Chocolate Tubes, 6 × 34 g
Six tubes give you individual packs to hand out during a gaming night. If you have allergies, check the packaging and look at the use-by date before serving.
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Milka Choco Wafer Milk, 180 g
A pack of chocolate wafers for anyone who wants to share them during a gaming night. Check how many pieces the current pack contains, as well as the allergens and use-by date.
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Merci Petits Chocolate Collection, 125 g
A small selection of chocolates to take to a gaming night if you want to offer different flavours, or to give as a gift. Check the pack for the number of pieces and, if you have allergies, read the information and warnings for every variety.
Frequently asked questions
Are currant buns always a better choice than chocolate for a longer gaming session?
No, it depends on the portion you’re looking for and the pack you choose. A currant bun is an individual, bread-based snack; individually wrapped chocolates may be more convenient to share. If it matters to your choice, compare the nutritional information per portion and per 100 g.
Do Dutch currant buns have to contain iodised baker’s salt?
No, you can’t assume they do. Voedingscentrum says that baking with baker’s salt isn’t compulsory, and according to Brood.net, using baker’s salt containing iodine isn’t a legal requirement. Read the ingredients list on the currant buns you buy.
Which allergens should I check for a gaming night?
Check the exact packaging of every snack you plan to share. The Albert Heijn and Jumbo currant buns examined contain wheat and milk; the merci box examined at Jumbo contains milk, almonds, hazelnuts and soya, among other ingredients. Also read any warnings about traces, and don’t assume that one flavour in a selection makes the whole box suitable.
What should I look for if I’m buying the snacks in advance?
Check the use-by date and follow the storage instructions on the pack you choose. Jumbo recommends storing its currant buns examined in a cool, dry place away from light; the merci box examined comes with advice to protect the chocolate from heat.