English Breakfast Beans

Heinz Baked Beans are as synonymous with the English breakfast as bacon and eggs. First sold in the UK in 1901 (though produced in America since 1895), Heinz baked beans have become a British national treasure. The UK consumes more baked beans per capita than any other country in the world — over 2 million cans every single day.

What makes Heinz beans special is their distinctive tomato sauce, which is sweeter and richer than most other brands. The beans are haricot beans (also known as navy beans), which are small, white, and creamy when cooked. The combination of the soft beans and the rich tomato sauce creates the perfect complement to the savory fried elements of the breakfast.

• Branston Baked Beans — The main competitor to Heinz, with a slightly tangier sauce. Many people prefer these for a full English.
• HP Baked Beans — From the makers of HP Sauce, with a richer, more savory flavor profile.
• Supermarket Own Brands — Tesco, Sainsbury's, and Waitrose all produce excellent baked beans at a lower price point.
• Organic/Artisan Beans — Brands like Bold Bean Co and Hodmedod's offer premium beans with unique flavor profiles.

United States: Heinz beans are available at most Walmart, Target, and international food stores. Look for "Heinz Beanz" in the international aisle — they are different from American baked beans (which are sweeter and use molasses). World Market and Amazon also stock them.

Canada: Widely available at Loblaws, Sobeys, and Walmart Canada.

Australia: Heinz beans are everywhere — Woolworths, Coles, and IGA all stock them. Australia shares Britain's love of baked beans.

Online: British Corner Shop and other online retailers ship British baked beans worldwide.

Baked beans have a history that stretches back centuries before they became a British breakfast icon. The dish originated with the Native Americans, who baked beans with maple syrup and bear fat in earthenware pots placed in underground pits. This slow-cooking method produced tender, flavourful beans that sustained tribes across North America.

The Pilgrims encountered this dish in the 17th century and adapted it, replacing maple syrup with molasses and adding salt pork. Boston baked beans became a New England staple, giving the city its nickname "Beantown."

Heinz launched baked beans in the UK in 1901, initially selling them as a luxury item at Fortnum & Mason in London. They were marketed as a posh American import and cost considerably more than they do today. By the 1920s, Heinz had built a factory in Harlesden, London, and began producing beans specifically for the British market with a distinctively different, less sweet recipe.

During World War II, baked beans were classified as an essential food by the Ministry of Food. They were not rationed, providing a crucial source of protein and energy for a nation under siege. This wartime association cemented beans as a everyday staple rather than a luxury import.

By the 1950s and 60s, baked beans had become a permanent fixture of the English breakfast, appearing in cafes, hotels, and homes across the country. Today, the UK consumes over 2 million cans of baked beans every single day — more per capita than any other nation on Earth.

The question of how beans should be served is one of the most passionately debated topics in British food culture. There are three main schools of thought:

• On the plate: The traditional approach. Beans are spooned directly onto the breakfast plate, usually in their own quadrant. Purists argue this allows the bean sauce to mingle with the egg yolk and bacon fat, creating the ultimate flavour combination.
• In a separate pot: A growing movement advocates for serving beans in a small ramekin or pot alongside the plate. This keeps the sauce from making other components soggy, particularly the toast. Many gastropubs and boutique cafes now serve beans this way.
• On toast: The classic "beans on toast" approach, where toast is placed on the plate and beans are poured over it. This is more common in everyday home cooking than in a formal full English, but has its devoted advocates.

The question of whether beans should touch other items on the plate divides the nation. A 2022 YouGov poll found that 42% of Britons believe beans should be kept separate, while 35% actively want them to touch everything. The remaining 23% claim not to care, though their actions usually suggest otherwise.

Baked beans are one of the more nutritious components of the English breakfast. They are an excellent source of plant-based protein and dietary fibre, and are low in fat. The main nutritional concern is the sugar and salt content in the tomato sauce, though reduced-sugar and reduced-salt versions are widely available.