# Why Do Brits Eat Heinz Baked Beans when Americans Don't? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** food-cooking\ **Created:** [January 17, 2021, 1:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-brits-eat-heinz-baked-beans-when-americans-dont/930701 "2021-01-17T01:25:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Melbourne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5e925/32.png) [@Melbourne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melbourne)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2021, 10:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-brits-eat-heinz-baked-beans-when-americans-dont/930701/61 "2021-01-18T10:45:17Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > Between 1941 and 1948, The [Ministry of Food](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ministry_of_Agriculture,_Fisheries_and_Food_(United_Kingdom)) classified Heinz Baked Beans as an “essential food” as part of its [wartime rationing](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rationing_in_the_United_Kingdom#World_War_II) system. At the time, the Brits were worried about having enough for everybody to eat: they were a net food importer. But they did some analysis, and realized that if everybody just ate beans, there’d be enough local food to keep everybody alive. Albeit (I’m not making this up), with some intestinal discomfort. ---
**Author:** ![Ruken](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f475e1/32.png) [@Ruken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruken)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2021, 12:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-brits-eat-heinz-baked-beans-when-americans-dont/930701/62 "2021-01-18T12:35:55Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Wylwood Pork & Beans in Tomato Sauce There are Wylwood products with “baked beans” on the label; that isn’t one of them. Maybe the confusion here is some regions referring to any canned beans product in sauce as baked beans, even if the manufacturer doesn’t. ---
**Author:** ![Treppenwitz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treppenwitz/32/3445_2.png) [@Treppenwitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Treppenwitz)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2021, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-brits-eat-heinz-baked-beans-when-americans-dont/930701/63 "2021-01-18T21:47:25Z")
> [@Two\_Many\_Cats2](#): > > Scene: a brawl at an English pub: > > Constable: 'Ere now, stop that, stop that! Wot’s all this then? > > Brawler: Oi 'eared d’is 'ere Yank say 'Einz Beans is American beans! > > Constable: Roight, carry on with the thrashing, but moind the furniture! To-day I’m a copper And as you can see A copper 'as scruples Of 'ighest degree… …And I’ll turn a blind eye To this Yank battery ([explanation](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8fHppd_KtP4)) j PS: (Hideous anachronism warning) - this has nothing whatever to do with the thread, but I just have to share this. I confess, I used a 1987 Roget’s thesaurus to clean that up. Specifically, the synonyms of _Probity_, which include (quoting): “…truepenny, brick, trump, true Briton, white man…”. Sheesh. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2021, 10:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-brits-eat-heinz-baked-beans-when-americans-dont/930701/64 "2021-01-18T22:45:07Z")
I was in a beans on toast mood for lunch today so I picked up those Heinz vegetarian beans. Somehow, I never noticed them before. You can tell they were made for the American market as they are sweeter than the UK/Canada/etc beans. I’ll need to hit up one of the groceries with a good international aisle and get some of the UK cans. But I did enjoy my beans on toast. ---
**Author:** ![Eonwe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eonwe/32/240_2.png) [@Eonwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eonwe)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2021, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-brits-eat-heinz-baked-beans-when-americans-dont/930701/65 "2021-01-18T23:39:05Z")
> [@Banksiaman](#): > > They made your granddad fart, and they’ll probably be propelling your grandkids. This really needs to make its way into an advertisement at some point. I’d buy it. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2021, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-brits-eat-heinz-baked-beans-when-americans-dont/930701/66 "2021-01-19T01:29:56Z")
Yes, the sauce is sweeter and thicker than the sauce for the UK beans. But when I was served beans in the UK they tasted familiar. ---
**Author:** ![Asuka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@Asuka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asuka)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2021, 5:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-brits-eat-heinz-baked-beans-when-americans-dont/930701/67 "2021-01-19T05:49:09Z")
This topic made me realize that while I eat a lot of beans I never eat baked beans, it’s always re-fried beans. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2021, 7:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-brits-eat-heinz-baked-beans-when-americans-dont/930701/68 "2021-01-19T07:02:24Z")
> [@Asuka](#): > > This topic made me realize that while I eat a lot of beans I never eat baked beans, it’s always re-fried beans If you like baked beans and you ever get a chance, try making baked beans from scratch. It’s like the difference between homemade chili and canned chili. ---
**Author:** ![SanVito](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sanvito/32/2805_2.png) [@SanVito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanVito)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2021, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-brits-eat-heinz-baked-beans-when-americans-dont/930701/69 "2021-01-19T16:44:23Z")
> [@needscoffee](#): > > If you like baked beans and you ever get a chance, try making baked beans from scratch. It’s like the difference between homemade chili and canned chili. To me, they’re just an entirely different food stuff. Tinned baked beans are for a wet Wednesday lunchtime when you want something quick and comforting on toast. Home made are for when you’re feeling all cheffy and have specially salted some icelandic cod as an accompaniment. [Heartily recommended](https://www.countrylife.co.uk/food-drink/greatest-recipes-ever-fergus-hendersons-salt-cod-and-beans-22026). ---
**Author:** ![bob\_2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bob_2/32/3341_2.png) [@bob\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_2)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2021, 10:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-brits-eat-heinz-baked-beans-when-americans-dont/930701/70 "2021-01-24T10:17:28Z")
Always store the cans upside down to prevent stuff sticking to the bottom. ---
**Author:** ![flaming\_yawn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/cab0a1/32.png) [@flaming\_yawn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flaming_yawn)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2021, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-brits-eat-heinz-baked-beans-when-americans-dont/930701/71 "2021-01-24T21:24:38Z")
nadiya eats on netfilx goes to the heinz factory in england. Dont remember which episode but it was entertaining as she made falafel or something with the beans. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2021, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-brits-eat-heinz-baked-beans-when-americans-dont/930701/72 "2021-01-24T23:24:55Z")
B&M Baked Beans in the US had a commercial showing a man chowing down on Campbell’s beans with the announcer saying, “This is . 42 years old and he’s never had a baked bean.” The man gave a “What the – ?” look and the announcer went on, “Those are steamed beans. Do you see the word ‘baked’ anywhere on the label?” Campbell made steamed beans in tomato sauce, but to get real baked beans you got B&M and Grandma Brown’s. Bush’s came over the past decade, so it’s hard to find the other two. ---
**Author:** ![eburacum\_45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eburacum_45/32/3385_2.png) [@eburacum\_45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eburacum_45)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2021, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-brits-eat-heinz-baked-beans-when-americans-dont/930701/73 "2021-01-24T23:56:40Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > the cans for a lot of bean products are labeled “Pork and beans”, but folks eating the contents of those cans don’t call them that. They’re just “baked beans”, and so far as I can tell, are the same thing as the British product. Heinz baked beans in the UK are suitable for vegetarians and vegans; no pork. ---
**Author:** ![scareyfaerie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scareyfaerie/32/3135_2.png) [@scareyfaerie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scareyfaerie)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2021, 11:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-brits-eat-heinz-baked-beans-when-americans-dont/930701/74 "2021-01-25T11:32:57Z")
I eat Heinz stuff because that’s what the supermarket sells. They have their own brand baked beans but the sauce is quite watery and Heinz sauce is thicker. ---
**Author:** ![SanVito](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sanvito/32/2805_2.png) [@SanVito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanVito)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2021, 12:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-brits-eat-heinz-baked-beans-when-americans-dont/930701/75 "2021-01-25T12:34:09Z")
Heinz baked beans on toast for lunch for me today - mainly because I haven’t been shopping and I’m pushed for time, so it’s the easiest, quickest warm lunch I can whip up when the cupboard is bare. Which I imagine is a fairly typical usage for many people. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2021, 12:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-brits-eat-heinz-baked-beans-when-americans-dont/930701/76 "2021-01-25T12:42:46Z")
> [@eburacum\_45](#): > > > [@Chronos](#): > > > > the cans for a lot of bean products are labeled “Pork and beans”, but folks eating the contents of those cans don’t call them that. They’re just “baked beans”, and so far as I can tell, are the same thing as the British product. > > Heinz baked beans in the UK are suitable for vegetarians and vegans; no pork. So are the Heinz vegetarian beans in my cupboard in the US. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2021, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-brits-eat-heinz-baked-beans-when-americans-dont/930701/77 "2021-01-25T21:13:14Z")
Honestly, I don’t know why the American “pork and beans” companies bother with the homeopathic quantities of pork they include. Leave them out, and they’d expand their market to vegetarians and those who keep kosher or halal. And the swinivores probably wouldn’t even notice the difference. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2021, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-brits-eat-heinz-baked-beans-when-americans-dont/930701/78 "2021-01-25T22:47:43Z")
As a devoted swinivore, I fer sure would notice the difference. Like marriage, vegetarianism is **EVIL!** 👹 ---
**Author:** ![Melbourne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5e925/32.png) [@Melbourne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Melbourne)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2021, 9:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-brits-eat-heinz-baked-beans-when-americans-dont/930701/79 "2021-01-26T09:01:38Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Honestly, I don’t know why the American “pork and beans” companies bother with the homeopathic quantities of pork they include It’s been in court in the USA. “Pork and Beans” is an American traditional name for an American traditional food, containing, by continuous ethnic tradition, a homeopathic quantity of pork. ---
**Author:** ![SanVito](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sanvito/32/2805_2.png) [@SanVito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SanVito)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2021, 9:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-brits-eat-heinz-baked-beans-when-americans-dont/930701/80 "2021-01-26T09:22:22Z")
Homeopathic? What’s homeopathic about pork? Are we using a different definition here? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-brits-eat-heinz-baked-beans-when-americans-dont/930701.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-brits-eat-heinz-baked-beans-when-americans-dont/930701.md?page=5)