Who is this choice relevant to?

Fibre-conscious breakfast eaters

You enjoy the fruity flavour of a currant bun but prefer wholemeal grain products. According to the Netherlands Nutrition Centre, wholemeal grain products contain more fibre than comparable white grain products.

Fans of sweet and savoury flavours

You like pairing currants or raisins with savoury toppings. Hummus, egg, cottage cheese, 30+ cheese or vegetables each offer a different flavour combination.

Practical supermarket shoppers

You’re looking for a ready-made bun and want to be able to check whether it really is wholemeal when you buy it. If your preferred variety isn’t available, a standard wholemeal bun with a savoury topping could be an alternative, though it won’t have the flavour of currants or raisins.

What should you look for when choosing?

Wholemeal raisin or currant bun

When: Choose this variety if you want to keep the fruity bun and an explicit wholemeal label is important to you.

Trade-off: Check the exact variety on the packaging. A similar raisin or currant bun may have a different composition.

Standard currant bun

When: Choose this if pairing a fruity bun with a savoury topping matters most and wholemeal isn’t essential.

Trade-off: A standard currant bun may be made with white wheat flour; the product name alone doesn’t tell you whether it has a wholemeal base.

Wholemeal bun without currants

When: Choose this with a savoury topping if a wholemeal base matters more to you than a fruity flavour.

Trade-off: You’ll miss the distinctive character of a currant or raisin bun.

Compare the bun and the topping separately when weighing up these options. That way, you can see which feature matters most for your breakfast.

What to consider What to check when buying Who it matters to
Wholemeal base and fibre Check that it’s labelled wholemeal and compare the fibre per 100 g on the packaging. I want to keep the currant flavour, but my choice mainly depends on having a clear wholemeal base. For around 50% of consumers, that base comes first.
Savoury topping Compare the salt and saturated fat per 100 g in the topping. With the bun’s sweet flavour, I’m looking for a savoury topping that suits my preferences. This combination is the main consideration for around 30% of consumers.
Practical choice Check the current variety, allergen information and storage instructions. I want to be able to choose a suitable bun as part of my usual shop and store it at home. Around 20% of consumers say this practical consideration is their top priority.

Common mistakes

  • Assuming all currant buns are wholemeal

    A currant bun may be made with white wheat flour. For example, Jumbo describes its standard raisin and currant buns as white-wheat products.

    Look for a wholemeal label on the variety you’re choosing, and check the ingredients and fibre per 100 g on the packaging.

  • Looking only at the bun

    The topping also affects the overall nutritional profile of your breakfast. The Netherlands Nutrition Centre points out that some toppings are high in salt or saturated fat.

    Choose a topping to suit your taste, such as hummus, egg, cottage cheese, 30+ cheese or vegetables, and compare the nutritional information for ready-made options.

  • Relying on a previous purchase if you have an allergy

    A product’s composition can change. If you have an allergy, it’s important to check the information for the exact variety you’re buying.

    Check the current label on pre-packed buns. For unpackaged buns, ask for the allergen information before you buy; the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) states that this information must also be available for unpackaged foods.

Brands and alternatives to consider

Jumbo

Jumbo lists a mini raisin and currant bun labelled wholemeal, as well as standard currant buns and wholemeal buns.

  • The specific mini variety includes a wholemeal label in its name.
  • Check the nutritional information for that mini variety on the current packaging; the values for Jumbo’s other buns don’t automatically apply to it.

Lidl

Lidl lists mini wholemeal raisin buns alongside standard mini raisin and currant buns.

  • The product names distinguish between the wholemeal raisin bun and the standard raisin and currant bun.
  • Check the ingredients, nutritional values and allergens on the packaging of the variety you choose.

Albert Heijn

Albert Heijn lists standard raisin and currant buns; Allerhande also has a recipe for homemade wholemeal currant buns.

  • The Allerhande recipe uses wholemeal wheat flour if you want to bake your own.
  • A recipe doesn’t tell you whether a ready-made currant bun has a wholemeal base.

PLUS

PLUS lists currant buns and separate wholemeal rolls or wholemeal multigrain rolls.

  • A wholemeal bun without currants is another option for a savoury topping.
  • Don’t assume the listed PLUS currant buns are wholemeal unless they’re labelled as such.

ALDI

ALDI lists raisin buns, as well as separate wholemeal buns.

  • Wholemeal buns are an option if a fruity flavour isn’t essential.
  • A wholemeal bun without raisins or currants isn’t an identical substitute for a wholemeal currant bun.

Bolletje

Bolletje lists crackers for breakfast or lunch: a different type of product from currant buns.

  • Crackers provide a different base for savoury toppings.
  • Don’t use a cracker as evidence of the ingredients or availability of a wholemeal currant bun.

Related products at Joybuy

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Are all currant buns wholemeal?

No. Jumbo describes its standard raisin and currant buns as white-wheat products. Check whether the variety you want to buy is explicitly labelled wholemeal on the packaging.

What savoury toppings go well with a currant bun?

Hummus, egg, cottage cheese, 30+ cheese and vegetables are all options to pair with the bun’s fruity flavour. For ready-made toppings, compare the nutritional information, especially if salt or saturated fat is important to your choice.

Where can I find allergen information for a currant bun?

For a pre-packed currant bun, check the current label. For unpackaged buns, allergen information must be made available in another way according to the NVWA. Ask for it before buying if you need this information.

Does every currant bun contain iodine?

You can’t tell from the name ‘currant bun’. Check the ingredients information for the specific product or ask the manufacturer what type of salt it uses.

Can I choose a standard wholemeal bun instead of a wholemeal currant bun?

Yes, if a wholemeal base with a savoury topping matters more to you than the flavour of currants or raisins. Compare the nutritional values per 100 g: Jumbo lists 7,0 g of fibre per 100 g for its wholemeal buns and 2,8 g per 100 g for its standard white-wheat raisin and currant buns.