Who is this choice relevant to?

Buffet organisers who are looking for fibre

You want to offer a sweet bread option alongside savoury dishes that is genuinely wholemeal. The colour of a bun or the word ‘multigrain’ is no substitute.

Organisers who want to serve smaller portions

You’re looking for buns that guests can easily take alongside other buffet dishes, without having to cut each one in half.

Organisers who need to check allergens

You’re serving guests for whom allergens such as gluten or milk are relevant. In that case, the allergen information on the packaging of the product you actually buy is what matters.

What should you look for when choosing?

If wholemeal is a priority for your buffet, start by checking the wholemeal label. Then compare portion sizes and check the packaging before serving.

What to consider What to check when buying Who is this most important for?
Wholemeal and fibre Look for an explicit wholemeal label and compare the fibre per 100 g in the nutrition table. If I want to offer a wholemeal sweet bread option, I need to be able to distinguish it from a standard currant bun. For around 42% of consumers, having a clearly labelled wholemeal option comes first.
Portions Check the number and size of the buns. For an in-store product, check whether it’s available when you need it. When guests want to try several dishes, I want to offer smaller buns without having to do lots of cutting. This is the main thing around 33% of consumers look for when buying.
Allergens and storage Read the ingredients, allergen information and storage instructions on the current packaging, especially if you’re buying in advance. I want to cater for guests who need to consider allergens and make sure that buns bought in advance are still suitable to serve. This matters most to around 25% of consumers.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming a standard currant bun is wholemeal

    Currants and raisins don’t make a bun wholemeal: PLUS describes its standard currant bun as a white wheat, raisin and currant bun, while Albert Heijn explicitly labels its wholemeal version as such.

    First check that the product name or description says wholemeal, then compare the fibre per 100 g.

  • Assuming a product listing means it’s available

    Jumbo lists its mini wholemeal raisin and currant buns as no longer available in its online range; Lidl describes its mini wholemeal raisin buns as available in store only.

    Check availability shortly before your buffet and have an alternative ready.

  • Looking at fibre alone

    A wholemeal bun may still contain allergens. Albert Heijn’s wholemeal raisin and currant buns list, among other things, cereals containing gluten, milk and lactose.

    Before serving, read the ingredients and allergen warnings on every pack you buy.

  • Buying too early without a storage plan

    According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre’s storage guide, opened currant buns usually keep for 2 to 4 days in a kitchen cupboard and 1 to 3 months in the freezer. The packaging may give more specific instructions.

    Plan your purchase around Boxing Day, or follow the packaging instructions if you want to freeze the buns.

Brands to consider

Albert Heijn

An option if you’re specifically looking for a wholemeal bun with both raisins and currants for your buffet.

  • Albert Heijn lists 30% raisins, 5% currants and 6.1 g of fibre per 100 g for its wholemeal raisin and currant bun.
  • The product information also lists cereals containing gluten, milk and lactose; check the current packaging.

Lidl

An option to consider if you’re looking for smaller wholemeal raisin buns for your buffet.

  • Lidl lists 360 g packs of mini wholemeal raisin buns, available in store only.
  • These are raisin buns, not products described as currant buns. Check the packaging for ingredients, nutritional information and allergens.

Jumbo

Its listing for mini wholemeal raisin and currant buns gives you an idea of the portion size to look for.

  • The listed pack contains nine mini buns.
  • Jumbo says this product is no longer part of its online range; check for a current in-store option before relying on it.

PLUS

Worth considering if you want to offer standard currant buns alongside a separate wholemeal bread option.

  • PLUS lists 3.3 g of fibre per 100 g for its standard currant buns.
  • These buns are described as white wheat, raisin and currant buns, not wholemeal. Make sure both bread options are clearly labelled on the buffet.

ALDI

A point of reference for a buffet with currant buns and separate wholemeal buns.

  • ALDI features raisin and currant buns and wholemeal buns in its bread range.
  • These are different products; the range listing doesn’t make the raisin and currant buns wholemeal.

Joybuy products

Related products will be available soon.

Frequently asked questions

How can I tell if a currant bun is wholemeal?

Look for an explicit wholemeal label in the product name or description, then check the ingredients and nutritional information. A dark colour, the word ‘multigrain’ or the presence of currants doesn’t, on its own, mean that a bun is wholemeal.

What should I check about allergens for a buffet?

Read the allergen information on every pack you serve, including any warnings about possible traces. According to its product information, Albert Heijn’s wholemeal version contains cereals containing gluten, milk and lactose. Don’t assume another bun has the same ingredients.

Can I freeze currant buns in advance?

Follow the instructions for the product you’ve chosen. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre says opened currant buns usually keep for 1 to 3 months in the freezer; Albert Heijn says its wholemeal version can be frozen at home on the day of purchase and should be used within one month.

Does every Dutch currant bun contain iodised salt?

You can’t assume that every currant bun does. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority explains that iodine compounds may be present in bakery products through baker’s salt; Albert Heijn’s wholemeal version lists iodised salt in its ingredients. For any other bun, check its own label.