Baked Beans - United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland

United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland

"Beans On Toast" redirects here. For the singer/songwriter, see Beans On Toast (band).

In the UK, Ireland, Hong Kong and Singapore the term baked beans refers almost exclusively to canned beans in a tomato sauce. Many people regard baked beans as an integral part of the modern full English breakfast, including beans on toast. Every day 2.3 million British people eat Heinz Baked Beans; 1 million of those people eat them for dinner. Although Heinz Baked Beans have long been the biggest selling brand, other brands such as Branston Baked Beans, supermarket own brands, and HP baked beans (later purchased by Heinz), have reduced their market share.

Heinz baked beans were first sold in the UK in 1886 in the upmarket Fortnum & Mason store in London as an exotic import at a high price. Although they are now a staple food, and arguably a downmarket one, the store continues the tradition of selling Heinz Beans among its more expensive wares. Baked beans are also considered to be a staple food of students, as they are typically easily heated in a microwave and are very cheap.

British supermarkets often sell store brand baked beans for less than thirty pence a tinned can although some premium organic brands price at 79 pence Baked beans are a classic example of a loss leader, a product sold by supermarkets for an abnormally low price, often less than cost. Baked beans have recently begun appearing in conjunction with other foods, such as a filler inside sausages, as a sidedish with bacon, eggs and toast as part of a full breakfast, or as a pizza topping. UK-style baked beans are also popular in Australia and New Zealand.