400,000 Hot Cross Buns being baked this Easter week

400,000 Hot Cross Buns being baked this Easter week at Countdown

25 March 2013: Countdown bakeries around the country are preparing for a busy Easter, as Kiwi appetites for hot cross buns continue to grow.

400,000 packs of the favourite Easter treat are expected to be sold across New Zealand during the week leading up to Easter, at least 10 per cent more than in 2012. But Kiwis have shown that they don’t just love hot cross buns at Easter time, customer demand for the seasonal treat has been high since January, with sales averaging more than 57,000 packs each week, 12 per cent up on last year.

This year, Countdown is also urging Kiwis to get behind its Countdown Kids Hospital Appeal, with five cents from every pack of Countdown and Jumbo hot cross buns sold donated to the appeal. The company is aiming to raise $60,000 from hot cross bun sales this Easter season, with all funds raised going towards purchasing equipment for ten dedicated children’s wards at New Zealand hospitals.

Traditional hot cross buns remain the favourite, while fruitless and Hershey’s Chocolate hot cross buns have also grown in popularity.

Countdown Bakery Merchandise Manager, Robin Pinner, says there has been steady growth in the popularity of hot cross buns over recent years as the Countdown range has continued to expand. “Our extensive range means there’s a hot cross bun variety for everyone. We continue to develop new recipes and processes to make sure our customers are getting the best and most consistent hot cross buns.

“Our people are also very proud of the products they bake fresh every day and are committed to making sure every batch of buns is perfect.”

With a traditionally busy Easter week expected, Countdown is recommending that customers buy their buns early next week to avoid disappointment.

“Kiwis love our hot cross buns, and keeping up with demand is our biggest challenge,” says Mr Pinner.

The Countdown range comprises a traditional hot cross bun, made with sultanas, currants and mixed spice; a choc hot cross bun, a decadent treat for chocolate lovers young and old; a fruitless hot cross bun for those who prefer just a hint of spice; and for a more indulgent option, the Jumbo hot cross bun is a larger bun, packed with sultanas, currants and spice.

Online shoppers can also purchase the entire range at http://shop.countdown.co.nz, making them a great option for workplace morning teas.

Hot cross buns have a long history of significance across different groups of people – Christians traditionally consume them on Good Friday, and Saxons ate them to honour the god Eostre. Ancient Greeks also marked small cakes with a cross. There are also many superstitions surrounding the hot cross bun; for example, seafarers will take one on board their boat to prevent a shipwreck, and hanging one in the kitchen is said to ensure all the breads you bake turn out perfectly.

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