Returning to the UK after such a long absence has suddenly meant an overwhelming choice of traditional English foods that I'm just not used to. With that in mind, I decided to have a baked bean battle, to find out what Britain's finest baked bean really is. 6) Waitrose Duchy Organic (£1.10). Strange, claggy, flavourless sauce. Bland. Very disappointing. 5) Marks and Spencer (55p). Another disappointment from a so-called premium brand. Strong aftertaste of sweat. Very odd. 4) Sainsbury's Market Street (27p). Slightly watery sauce and a poor bean-to-sauce ratio, but very acceptable for budget beans. 3) Heinz (£1.25) The only brand usually available abroad. Solid enough but slightly bitter aftertaste as if they contain aspartame. Not remotely worth the premium price. 2) Newgate (Lidl own brand) (45p) Loads of beans, an excellently flavoured sauce. Only slightly let down by one or two hard beans. 1) Bramwells (Aldi own brand) (45p) All the flavour of Lidl's offering, but without the hard beans. A clear winner. I need to add that @Chef Tyke insists that Branston are also excellent, but as I've not got round to trying them yet my study is still incomplete.
Yes, I would agree with Chef Tyke that Branstons are the pinnacle of the baked bean world, if you haven't tried them then i think you've been a bit hasty publishing your results.
+1 for Branstons - cant't beat beans on toast with some mature cheddar grated on top and then lashings of HP Sauce.
You had me salivating until you mentioned HP. Vile stuff! However, substitute it for Encona Hot Pepper Sauce and you've got a meal fit for a king.
I find encona hot pepper sauce overpowers the beans too much, i would instead recommend Hendersons relish which i think compliments beans perfectly.
No5 Taste of sweat...not a flavour am greatly familiar with and after much thought may give it a miss..but good on you for taking the task on ..
https://www.thegrocer.co.uk/new-pro...al-city-to-launch-cheesy-beanz/688204.article Saves you the job of grating cheese over them.
Like other baked beans, as highlighted in the wonderful film Blazing Saddles, there is an after effect in the form of anal eructations. Unfortunately the aroma generated by Branston beans is particularly pungent!
You definitely need to be careful with the dosage of Encona! I'm a Hendo's in soup man personally. Made a pea soup last night for today's lunch. Good job I didn't have beans for breakfast this morning!
You are right. Queen are the aural equivalent of baked beans. Mass produced ***** for the idiot consumer. ;-)