Why Beans On Toast Is So Popular In England - Tasting Table (2024)

ByMichelle Welsch/

If you're uninspired, hungry, broke, or a combination of any of these things, beans and toast can solve a few of those issues. Canned beans are of those pantry must-haves, and bread is usually easy to come by. Combining the two for a quick meal is not only a budget-saver, but, as far as meal preparation goes, you can't get much more straight-forward than opening a can, heating up its contents, buttering some toast, and throwing it all together.

The combination of beans and toast is an age-old U.K. breakfast tradition, yet it's a meal that to this day is fiercely advocated for and against by opinionated eaters (via Food Network). ATwitter debate compiled by Indy100hotly discussed the merits and demerits of the bean-bread combination, with some participants insisting that bread and beans is pure, delicious comfort — and others going so far as to blame the dish for "Megxit." Clearly, beans on toast is a polarizing concept that reminds some people offond childhood memories or desperate moments at uni, and for others it's a gastronomic experience that can't be understood.

A cheap, protein-packed meal

Why Beans On Toast Is So Popular In England - Tasting Table (2)

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The irony is that while beans and toast seems British, Americanketchup brand Heinz claims to have invented it nearly a century ago. The story goes that this was the company's way of selling more canned beans produced in its English factories — particularly during World War II, when beans were marketed as an affordable and protein-packed grocery item for those supporting the effort from home. Though Brits are no longer affected by wartime rationing, they still love their cheap and satisfying beans on toast — a dish that nostalgia has surely propelled to the forefront of the U.K.'s cuisine.

One possible explanation for Brits' love of the dish and Americans' loathing of it is that British beans in tomato sauce are not as sugary as American ones, as suspected by Professional Moron.If you're not a fan of the ketchupy beans you can find in the U.S., you can take beans and toast to the next level by trying our test kitchen's gourmet beans on toast recipe, which calls for plain canned beans doctored up with ham and herbs.

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Why Beans On Toast Is So Popular In England - Tasting Table (2024)

FAQs

Why Beans On Toast Is So Popular In England - Tasting Table? ›

If you're uninspired, hungry, broke, or a combination of any of these things, beans and toast can solve a few of those issues. Canned beans are of those pantry must-haves, and bread is usually easy to come by.

Why is beans on toast so popular in the UK? ›

tif. Beans and toast is a breakfast tradition in the UK (it's both adored and loathed) that has stood the test of time. The story goes that in 1927 an executive at Heinz decided to create a national dish in order to sell more canned beans and an iconic dish was born.

Why are Heinz beans so popular in England? ›

The British fascination with baked beans has a long history dating all the way back to 1901 when an enterprising American named Henry Heinz brought them across the Atlantic to the British Isles. Heinz cleverly marketed baked beans as the perfect ready-made meal for busy folks.

Why is the UK obsessed with beans? ›

The British obsession with baked beans dates back to the 19 th century when an entrepreneurial American named Henry Heinz carried them over the Atlantic to the British Isles. Heinz skilfully promoted baked beans as the ideal ready-made supper for people on the go.

Why do English people eat beans in the morning? ›

Baked beans, with their tomato-based sauce, were introduced in the late 19th century. Canned baked beans became popular thanks to their convenience and affordability. American soldiers stationed in Britain during World War II further popularized baked beans in the English breakfast.

Why are beans on toast so popular? ›

During the lean times of World War II, Heinz came up with a way to sell more canned beans, marketing beans on toast as a simple, affordable, and ration-friendly protein-packed meal.

Why is beans on toast so good? ›

From being low in calories to being full of fibre and high in protein, MailOnline has rounded up all the health benefits of the purse-friendly meal...

Why is Heinz so popular? ›

INVESTED IN QUALITY. Each step in the tomato-growing process is monitored by Heinz Tomato Masters: seven of the world's foremost experts on ketchup tomatoes, who keep Heinz tomatoes at the highest standard of quality – because the ketchup on your table is only as good as the tomato it comes from.

Is beans on toast a British thing? ›

There are several theories on where baked beans originated. But the concept of baked beans on toast seems to be an iconic British staple. And Heinz (yep, the ketchup company) claims the combo was invented by one of its executives in 1927.

What made Heinz popular? ›

With a unique flair for marketing and a high standard of production, H. J. Heinz changed Americans' attitudes towards processed food products. From exclusively selling horseradish in 1869 to offering over 60 varieties of products, Heinz built an empire and became a household name.

What do Brits call beans? ›

We call thembeans. We grow many types of beans in Britain and call then by names such a runner beans, green beans, broad beans etc. However, the most common way of eating beans in Britain is what are called baked beans.

Do baked beans have pork? ›

Baked beans are typically made with small, white navy beans. Other common ingredients are sugar, herbs, and spices. Recipes may also include tomato sauce, vinegar, molasses, and mustard. Some baked beans are vegetarian, while others contain small amounts of bacon or salt-cured pork for flavor.

Are baked beans actually baked? ›

Baked beans are a dish traditionally containing white common beans that are parboiled and then, in the US, baked in sauce at low temperature for a lengthy period. Canned baked beans are not baked, but are cooked through a steam process.

What do Brits eat for lunch? ›

Traditional English Food for Lunch

During the week, lunch most often consists of that English food classic: the sandwich, eaten with a bag of crisps on the side. Cornish pasties are equally popular, as are pork pies or sausage rolls.

What is a British fry up? ›

Sometimes called a fry up, a full English is a hearty, hefty breakfast plate served in the UK and Ireland. Full English breakfasts are so popular that they're pretty much offered throughout the day as all-day breakfast.

Can I eat beans every day? ›

Eat at least 30 grams of fiber from whole foods per day.

In just a half cup of cooked beans, you already get about 7 to 8 grams of dietary fiber, in only slightly over 100 calories. So, as you can see, eating beans every day makes it very easy to eat at least 30 grams of dietary fiber.

Why do British people like baked beans so much? ›

The British fascination with baked beans has a long history dating all the way back to 1901 when an enterprising American named Henry Heinz brought them across the Atlantic to the British Isles. Heinz cleverly marketed baked beans as the perfect ready-made meal for busy folks.

How popular is beans on toast in England? ›

Today, 43% of British folks say they eat baked beans every week, frequently served on toast (via The Express).

Do Americans have beans on toast? ›

While Americans certainly like eating beans of all varieties the traditional British canned baked beans are not as popular. Americans do eat what the British would call baked beans, but they do not have them served on toast and find the concept very strange.

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