Who is this option for?

People making several savoury cakes

If you’re planning several cakes or mini cakes for the sale, you can buy a tin ahead of time. Work out how much you need using the drained net weight, and plan how you’ll use the contents once the tin is open.

Volunteers trying a small savoury recipe

For a first batch or a small number of savoury bites, small tins let you open just the amount the recipe needs. Compare their drained net weights before choosing a multipack.

People organising a sweet-only sale

If you’re only planning sweet cakes, biscuits and pastries, peas aren’t needed for these recipes. Confirm the menu before adding them to your shopping list.

What should you check before buying?

First, decide whether savoury bakes will be on sale. If they are, match the quantity of peas to your recipe, then check the ingredients and storage instructions.

Criteria What to check Who it matters to
Planned menu Make sure savoury cakes or savoury bites are on the menu before buying peas. If the menu hasn’t been finalised, I want to avoid buying an ingredient that won’t be used for a sweet-only sale. Around 40% of consumers would prioritise whether it fits the menu.
Quantity and tin size Compare the drained net weight of the tins and choose between a large tin and smaller tins based on how much you need to make. For a small batch, I’d rather open only what I need; for several cakes, I need to make sure I have enough drained peas. Getting the quantity right would be the top priority for around 30% of consumers.
Ingredients and storage Read the ingredients for the product you choose and its instructions for after opening. Agree with the school or association how you’ll share information about the finished recipe. When I’m preparing food to sell, I want to know which ingredients are used and how to store opened products. Around 30% of consumers would prioritise these checks.

Mistakes to avoid

  • Buying before you know what’s on the menu

    The fact that you can keep a tin in the cupboard isn’t reason enough to buy it: peas are only useful here if you’re planning a savoury recipe.

    Confirm what you’re making before putting together your shopping list.

    For a sweet-only sale, the tins you buy may end up unused.

  • Working out the recipe using the tin’s total weight

    The liquid in the tin is included in the net weight, but not in the quantity of drained peas you’ll add to your recipe. For example, Bonduelle lists a drained net weight of 560 g for a product with a net weight of 800 g.

    Base your recipe quantities on the drained net weight shown on each tin.

  • Assuming all tinned peas have the same ingredients

    Ingredients vary between products. Bonduelle, Notre Jardin and Cassegrain product information lists ingredients such as sugar, salt, natural flavouring or onions, depending on the product.

    Check the ingredients on the tin you choose and take all the ingredients in the cake into account when informing the people who’ll be buying it.

  • Overlooking the instructions for after opening

    The storage life of an unopened tin doesn’t apply to its contents once opened. For the product described here, Bonduelle says to store it at a maximum of 4 °C and use it within 48 h of opening.

    Follow the instructions for the product you buy, and agree with the school or association how you’ll prepare and store the cakes.

Brands to consider

Bonduelle

A tinned option to consider when making several savoury cakes.

  • Bonduelle lists a drained net weight of 560 g for 800 g net, with peas, water, sugar and salt.
  • For this product, the brand says to store it at a maximum of 4 °C and use it within 48 h of opening. Check the instructions on any other tin.

Carrefour

The Carrefour Classic' range offers different sizes to compare, depending on how many peas you need.

  • Carrefour offers extra-fine peas in 280 g and 560 g drained net weight tins, as well as multipacks of three 140 g tins.
  • Check the drained net weight and ingredients of the product you choose rather than treating these sizes as interchangeable.

Notre Jardin, chez E.Leclerc

Two different options to consider if you’re choosing between a multipack of small tins and a product labelled as having no added sugar or salt.

  • E.Leclerc offers a Notre Jardin multipack of three 140 g tins, as well as another product labelled “no added sugar or salt”.
  • The multipack of three tins contains sugar, salt and natural flavouring. The label on the other product doesn’t apply to this multipack.

Auchan

A place to compare the descriptions and sizes of different tins of peas.

  • The Auchan range includes several sizes, such as 265 g, 280 g, 530 g and 560 g products.
  • A Cassegrain product stocked by Auchan also contains pearl onions, sugar, salt and natural flavouring. Check the ingredients if your recipe calls for unseasoned peas.

ALDI

Different options to consider depending on whether you want a cupboard staple or frozen peas.

  • ALDI France offers a tin of peas and carrots, as well as ALL SEASONS® extra-fine frozen peas.
  • Peas and carrots aren’t plain peas, and the frozen product isn’t suitable if you need something to store in the cupboard.

Joybuy products

Related products will be available soon.

Frequently asked questions

Should you buy peas for a school bake sale?

Only if the sale includes savoury cakes, mini cakes or savoury bites. If the menu is sweet-only, confirm the recipes before buying: peas aren’t a substitute for the baking ingredients you’ll need.

What should you compare when choosing between two tins of peas?

Compare the drained net weight and ingredients, then choose a tin size that suits your recipe. The DGCCRF says that the drained net weight must be shown for a product sold in a covering liquid. Depending on the product, it may also contain sugar, salt, flavourings or onions.

How long can you keep peas after opening?

Follow the instructions on the tin you buy. For the Bonduelle product described here, the brand says to store it at a maximum of 4 °C and use it within 48 h of opening. This instruction doesn’t set the storage life for every brand or for a cake you’ve made.

Can you buy tins before the bake sale?

Yes, as long as the date and storage conditions shown on the tins fit your schedule and the packaging is intact. The French Ministry of the Economy distinguishes between the minimum durability date (DDM) and the use-by date (DLC). Check the date shown on each product rather than assuming they all have the same date.

What should you plan for when serving savoury cakes at a school sale?

Agree with the school or association how you’ll prepare, handle and store the food, and how you’ll share information about the finished recipe’s ingredients. The Ardèche prefecture’s guide to events highlights the importance of good hygiene practices in reducing the risk of contamination. The instructions for the tin alone aren’t enough to determine how to store the finished cake.