Heinz has weighed in on the long-running debate over how to cook baked beans, with the brand's official taste expert declaring the microwave the winning method.
The announcement comes as Heinz celebrates 140 years of Beanz. Research commissioned by the company found that 52% of people in the UK cook their beans on the hob, while 43% opt for the microwave. A further 5% skip cooking altogether and eat them cold straight from the tin.
Expert backs microwave for speed
Gary Chambers, Heinz's official Beanz taste and quality expert from the factory in Wigan, where up to two million cans can be produced every day, said the microwave gets his vote.
He said: "For me, it's got to be the microwave. While there's no wrong way to enjoy Heinz Beanz, the microwave heats the Beanz quickly and means I don't need to stand over a hob stirring."
Heinz Beanz were first sold by Fortnum & Mason in 1886 and were declared an essential food item in the 1940s. Today, roughly 4.5 million cans are enjoyed every week.
Historian notes microwave's impact
Food historian Dr. Polly Russell said: "When microwaves became commonplace in British kitchens in the 1980s, they made foods like Beanz even quicker and easier to enjoy, with many Brits choosing to heat theirs this way today."
She added: "Their enduring appeal comes down to their simplicity: accessible, convenient, comforting and, most importantly, delicious. It's no surprise that 140 years on, Beanz remain a much-loved fixture in British cupboards."
Despite the expert backing, the article's author argues that microwaving beans robs them of their potential for a superior, intense taste, insisting the hob is the only proper cooking method. The author recommends stewing beans with a knob of butter for 10 to 15 minutes to thicken the sauce before serving on toast or a jacket potato.
