You can can eat them on toast, jacket potatoes, alongside a fry-up or even on pizza, yes we are of course talking about Heinz Baked Beanz! Our small orange friends in the green can are a regular resident in most kitchen cupboards across the UK, but where did the bean begin?
Heinz Baked Beans were first spotted on shelves back in 1889 in the incredibly upmarket Fortnum & Mason store in London (a very different environment from today’s local supermarkets!) as an exquisite foreign import.
From the late 1800s up until the beginning of the Second World War Heinz Baked Beans 
became increasingly popular and started to become an integral part of people’s diets. So much so that between 1941-1948 the Ministry of Food classified Heinz Baked Beans as an essential in the rationing system.
Bean Bite: Up until the WWII Heinz Baked Beans originally contained a piece of pork, but this was removed from the can as part of the rationing scheme and never made it back.
In the decades that followed Heinz Beanz continued to grow in popularity. The next big bean breakthrough came in 1967 when Maurice Drake created the world famous Beanz Meanz Heinz slogan. This world famous slogan was so loved by Heinz consumers and industry professionals that it had a lifetime of over 40 years with the brand. However, the slogan was eventually dropped in the 90s amid concern that it took attention away from other Heinz products. Nonetheless, back in 2009 Heinz brought back the slogan, truly showing that Beanz really does mean Heinz.
Bean Bite: In 2005 Heinz Beanz had the honour of being voted ‘Most Loved Brand’ by the British public.
Now we come to the modern day Heinz Baked Bean. Loved by all age groups and demographics, Heinz Baked Beans is a brand that has learnt to adapt which ensures it’s popularity. Recent examples include the launch of personalised portioning in the form of Snap Pots in 2007, which can be quickly popped into the microwave with no mess or fuss – busy lives have never ‘bean’ so easy! [Please forgive us – we couldn't resist!]
The newest addition to the Heinz Baked Beans family is the fridge pack, which we wrote about in our latest issue of Encounter Magazine.
With over one million cans of Heinz Baked Beans being consumed every single day in the UK, it’s clear to see that the bean is here to stay!
Fancy getting your hands on an iPad2? Encounter Magazine are currently running a competition; you simply have to spin around a virtual fridge pack and answer a question to enter – sound crazy? All will be revealed. Good luck!
Image credit: Old School Paul
