Who is this relevant to?

If you’re specifically looking for sourdough

You want a currant bun whose sourdough status you can verify, not just one with an artisan look. Ask the baker or stallholder about the product description and the raising agents used.

If you need to check allergens

If you’re buying a loose currant bun, you’ll want to know which allergens it contains before you buy it. Ask the seller for the information you need. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority states that allergen information must also be available for non-prepacked foods.

If you’re planning your purchase in advance

If you’re buying or taking currant buns with you for a visit to the Christmas market, it’s important to check the storage and freezing instructions for the product you choose. These may differ from the instructions for a prepacked supermarket bun.

What should you look for when choosing?

First decide whether sourdough is a must for you. A confirmed sourdough currant bun, a standard prepacked currant bun and baking your own each involve different considerations.

Sourdough currant bun from a bakery or stall

Choose this if: the seller can explain the product description and raising agents used, and sourdough is a deciding factor for you.

Bear in mind: a sourdough description doesn’t confirm that the bun is wholemeal or suitable for your allergen requirements.

Standard prepacked currant bun

Choose this if: you want to check the ingredients, nutritional information and storage instructions for a specific pack in advance.

Bear in mind: the Albert Heijn and PLUS products described list baker’s yeast, so they are not confirmed as strict sourdough options.

Bake your own with sourdough

Choose this if: you want to choose the ingredients and method yourself, and can start well before your outing.

Bear in mind: according to a Jumbo recipe, simply preparing a starter takes several days. You’ll then still need to make the dough and leave it to rise.

What to look out for What to check when buying Who it matters most to
Sourdough Ask about the product description and which raising agents have been used. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre explains that the term ‘(sourdough) starter’ allows only a limited amount of added yeast. I don’t want to choose a currant bun based only on an artisan name; I want to know how the dough was raised. For around 36% of consumers, checking for sourdough comes first.
Ingredients and allergens Read the ingredients and allergen information, or ask about them if you’re buying a loose bun. Also check information about possible cross-contamination if you need it to make your choice. At a stall, I need to be able to check before buying whether a bun contains ingredients I must avoid. Checking the ingredients is the top priority for around 29% of consumers.
Storage and taking them with you Ask how to store the bun you’ve chosen and whether it can be frozen. If it’s prepacked, follow the product-specific instructions. If I buy buns in advance for a winter outing, I want to know how to store them until I’m ready to eat them. Around 21% of consumers put this planning first.
Wholemeal and nutritional value Check whether it’s labelled wholemeal separately from the sourdough description. If you wish, compare the fibre, sugars and salt per 100 g of prepacked options. I want to compare the type of flour and nutritional value, without making assumptions based on the colour or the word ‘sourdough’. For around 14% of consumers, this is the most important question when choosing.

Common mistakes

  • Taking an artisan look as proof of sourdough

    A standard currant bun made with baker’s yeast is not automatically a strict sourdough option. The Netherlands Bakery Centre states that Dutch bread regulations also apply to small bread rolls.

    Ask which raising agents have been used and check the product description before choosing the bun as sourdough.

  • Assuming every currant bun contains iodised salt

    Baker’s salt contains iodine, but according to Brood.net, bakers aren’t required to use salt containing iodine. The product type alone therefore doesn’t tell you for sure.

    For a prepacked bun, check the ingredients list, or ask the seller which salt has been used in a loose bun.

  • Not asking for allergen information when buying a loose bun

    Allergen information matters for non-prepacked foods too. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority states that sellers must inform customers about the 14 specified allergens.

    Before buying, ask about any allergens relevant to you and whether there is any information about possible cross-contamination.

  • Buying in advance without checking the storage instructions

    Freezing advice for one prepacked product doesn’t automatically apply to a bun from a market stall. PLUS says that its currant buns should be frozen on the day of purchase.

    Time your purchase according to when you want to eat the buns, and follow the instructions for the product you actually buy.

Brands to help you compare

These product examples can help you recognise the information on a pack; they don’t confirm that sourdough options will be available for your visit to the Christmas market.

Albert Heijn

The AH Rozijnen currant buns described are a prepacked option containing six buns.

  • Albert Heijn’s product information includes details such as ingredients, nutritional values and freezing advice.
  • The ingredients list includes baker’s yeast and iodised salt, so this product is not confirmed as a strict sourdough option.

PLUS

The PLUS product described is a bag containing eight currant buns.

  • PLUS lists the ingredients, allergens and freezing instructions for this product.
  • The product information lists baker’s yeast, so don’t treat this option as a confirmed strict sourdough currant bun.

ALDI

ALDI describes a pack containing six raisin and currant buns.

  • The product listing makes the type of currant bun and the number in the pack clear.
  • Check the pack or ask in store about the raising agents, allergens and type of flour before choosing this option to meet a specific need.

Related products on Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

When can I consider a currant bun a sourdough option?

When the product description and information about the raising agents support that choice. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, the term ‘(sourdough) starter’ means that sourdough is used as the raising agent, with no more than 0.2% dried yeast or 0.5% fresh yeast. If you’re buying a loose currant bun, ask how it was raised rather than judging it by its appearance.

Does every Dutch currant bun contain iodised baker’s salt?

No, you can’t tell from the word ‘currant bun’ alone. According to Brood.net, bakers aren’t required to use salt containing iodine. Check the ingredients on a pack, or ask the seller about a loose bun.

How can I check the allergens in a loose currant bun?

Ask the seller which allergens the currant bun contains before buying it. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority states that sellers must also provide information about the 14 specified allergens for non-prepacked foods. If relevant to your choice, ask about possible cross-contamination too.

Can I buy currant buns in advance and freeze them?

Yes, if the instructions for the product you’ve chosen allow it. PLUS says that its currant buns should be frozen on the day of purchase and used within one month. For another prepacked product or a bun from a bakery, check the relevant storage instructions.