Choose currant buns if you want to put out a bread-like snack for each guest; a box of chocolates is a better fit if you’d rather offer a selection of small treats. You can serve both, but decide how much you want to put out and check the nutritional information and allergens for each product. A standard white currant bun isn’t automatically wholemeal.
You want to be able to put something out for each person without placing the whole pack on the table. The number of currant buns or the size of the chocolate pieces can help you decide on portions; also consider what you can do with any leftovers.
When choosing a sweet snack, you look at fibre, sugars, salt and saturated fat. Compare the nutritional values per 100 g and per portion, so differences in pack size don’t cloud your decision.
Check the ingredients and any cross-contamination warnings on the specific currant buns or box of chocolates. In an assortment, ingredients can vary between types of chocolate.
Currant buns are handy if you want to serve a bread-like snack individually; choose a box of chocolates for a selection of small treats. Serving both is a matter of taste and portions, not a reason to skip checking the labels.
Choose these if: you want to put out an individual bread-based snack for each guest.
Bear in mind: standard white currant buns aren’t automatically wholemeal; check the ingredients and nutritional values if fibre is important to you.
Choose this if: you want to offer a selection of small chocolate treats.
Bear in mind: chocolate isn’t a replacement for a bread-based snack, and ingredients and allergens can vary between types.
| What to consider | What to check when buying | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Portions and sharing | Check the number of pieces and the weight of each one. For chocolate, check whether you can divide the contents as you’d like. | If I want to put something out for everyone, I want to decide in advance how much to serve. For around 31% of consumers, ease of sharing comes first. |
| Nutritional information | Compare fibre, sugars, salt and saturated fat per 100 g and per portion; for currant buns, also check whether they’re wholemeal. | I want to choose a sweet snack that fits in with what else I eat, so I look at the nutritional values. Around 31% of consumers give this their highest priority. |
| Allergens | Read the current ingredients list, the allergens listed and any cross-contamination warnings. | If someone at the table has an allergy, I need to know which ingredients and warnings apply to the specific product. This is the first thing around 23% of consumers look for. |
| Storage and availability | Read the storage and any freezing instructions, and check where you can buy the product. | For a small TV night, I don’t want to put out more than we need, and I want to store any leftover currant buns according to the pack instructions. For around 15% of consumers, this matters most. |
The standard currant buns described by Jumbo, Albert Heijn and PLUS are made with white wheat flour. According to the Voedingscentrum, white bread contains fewer nutrients than wholemeal bread; the name currant bun alone doesn’t tell you whether wholemeal flour has been used.
Look specifically for a wholemeal version and compare the ingredients and fibre per 100 g on the label.
Individual pieces may look small, but the amount you put out determines how much chocolate is available. The Voedingscentrum points out that chocolate is high in calories and saturated fat.
Decide in advance how many pieces you want to serve and check the nutritional information per portion.
Currant buns and chocolate assortments can contain different allergens or carry warnings about possible cross-contamination. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority stresses the importance of clear allergen information on the label.
Read the full ingredients list and warnings on the exact pack you’re buying. For unwrapped bakery products, ask for allergen information.
Iodised baker’s salt is used in bread in the Netherlands, but according to the Voedingscentrum, bakers aren’t required to use it. You can’t tell whether it’s present from the product name alone.
Check the ingredients list if this is relevant to your choice, or ask which salt was used for unwrapped currant buns.
These examples can help you compare pack sizes and product information; always check the details for the product you actually buy.
Albert Heijn lists a pack of AH raisin and currant buns containing six 65 g buns.
Jumbo lists raisin and currant buns in a pack of six.
PLUS lists currant buns in packs of six and eight, among other sizes.
Lidl lists packs of six currant buns and packs of nine mini raisin and currant buns.
ALDI lists packs of six raisin and currant buns as a store product.
Bolletje offers products including crispbreads, crackers and snacks.
These chocolate packs are worth considering if you’re choosing a chocolate treat for a TV night, perhaps alongside currant buns. Decide how much you want to serve and check the current pack for ingredients and allergens.
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A chocolate pack to consider as a treat alongside currant buns. It contains 288 g; check the pack for ingredients and whether the chocolates are divided into portions to suit you.
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A chocolate assortment for anyone who wants to offer a selection of treats. The pack contains 385 g; check the label for allergens and decide how many portions you want to serve.
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A chocolate assortment to consider if you want a smaller amount for a TV night. The pack contains 143 g; check the ingredients and decide in advance how much you want to put out.
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A chocolate collection to consider if you want to offer a small treat alongside the currant buns. The pack contains 125 g; read the current allergen information and decide how much chocolate you want to serve.
Choose currant buns if you want to put out a bread-like snack for each person, or a box of chocolates if a selection of small treats in different flavours matters more. You can serve both too: just decide on portions in advance and read the labels on both products.
No, standard currant buns aren’t automatically wholemeal. The standard varieties described by Jumbo, Albert Heijn and PLUS are made with white wheat flour; if you want a wholemeal option, look specifically for that description and check the ingredients list.
Read the ingredients list and any cross-contamination warnings on both packs. The currant buns and chocolate products described contain a range of allergens, so don’t rely on the product name or information for a different variety.
No, you can’t assume that every currant bun does. According to the Voedingscentrum, bakers aren’t required to use iodised baker’s salt; check the ingredients list on packaged products or ask your baker.
Follow the storage advice on the pack of currant buns you’ve bought. For the varieties described, Albert Heijn and PLUS say they can be frozen on the day of purchase; check your pack for the recommended time to use them after freezing too.
