Baked beans

"Baked bean" redirects here. For the song by Haircut 100, see Pelican West.
Baked beans
Baked beans in tomato sauce
Place of originUnited States
Region or stateNew England
Serving temperatureHot
Main ingredientsBeans
Ingredients generally usedBacon, ham, or salt pork (US); maple syrup, molasses, or brown sugar (US & CAN); mustard (US); onions (US); Tomato sauce (UK, CAN & AUS/NZ; sometimes US)
Similar dishesFèves au lard, refried beans

Baked beans are a dish traditionally containing white common beans that are parboiled and then baked in sauce at low temperature for a lengthy period.[1] Canned baked beans are not baked, but are cooked through a steam process.[2]

Baked beans originated in Native American cuisine, and are made from beans indigenous to the Americas.[3] The dish was adopted and adapted by English colonists in New England in the 17th century and, through cookbooks published in the 19th century, spread to other regions of the United States and into Canada.[3] Today, in the New England region of the United States, a variety of indigenous legumes are used in restaurants or in the home, such as Jacob's cattle, soldier beans, yellow-eyed beans, and navy beans (also known as native beans).[3]

Originally, Native Americans sweetened baked beans with maple syrup, a tradition some recipes still follow, but some English colonists used brown sugar beginning in the 17th century. In the 18th century, the convention of using American-made molasses as a sweetening agent became increasingly popular to avoid British taxes on sugar. Boston baked beans use a sauce prepared with molasses and salt pork, a dish whose popularity has given Boston the nickname "Beantown".[4]

Today, baked beans are served throughout the United States alongside barbecue foods and at picnics. Beans in a brown sugar, sugar, or corn syrup sauce (with or without tomatoes) are widely available throughout the United States. Bush Brothers are the largest producer.[5] After the American Revolutionary War, Independence Day celebrations often included baked beans.[6]

Canned baked beans are used as a convenience food; most are made from haricot beans in sauce. They may be eaten hot or cold, and straight from the can, as they are fully cooked.[7] H. J. Heinz began producing canned baked beans in 1886. In the early 20th century, canned baked beans gained international popularity, particularly in the United Kingdom, where they are commonly served in a full breakfast.

  1. ^ Ken Alba (2007). Beans: A History. London: Oxford International Publishers.
  2. ^ Lauren O'Callaghan (9 August 2016). "How are your baked beans REALLY made? Behind the scenes footage at a factory reveals ALL". BBC Express.
  3. ^ a b c Cite error: The named reference GE was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Dalager, Norman (10 August 2006). "What's in a nickname?". The Boston Globe. Archived from the original on 23 July 2013. Retrieved 5 July 2013.
  5. ^ Teresa F. Lindeman (25 January 2012). "Heinz brings beans back to U.S." Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
  6. ^ Smith, Andrew F. (2013). Food and Drink in American History: A "Full Course" Encyclopedia. ABC-CLIO. p. 364.
  7. ^ "GuardianWitness - Cold Baked Beans salad". GuardianWitness. Archived from the original on 2 October 2017. Retrieved 2 October 2017.