People’s minds are blown as they realise iconic ‘British food’ is American

A revelation about one of Britain’s most beloved foods has left people in shock. Baked beans, often considered a national staple, actually originate from the United States. The discovery has gained attention after a Mumsnet user posted about their shock saying that baked beans on toast are a “British institution” and that they now felt “betrayed”

They said: “I just found out that baked beans aren’t even British, they actually originated in the US! I always thought they were one of our national treasures, up there with the full English and fish & chips. I mean, beans on toast is basically a British institution! Apparently, they were brought over from America, but they never really took off over there the way they did here.”

They added: “In the US, they have a different version with a sweeter, smokier sauce, but our tomatoey Heinz ones are just chef’s kiss. Am I the only one who thought they were 100% British? I feel slightly betrayed but also still very proud that we made them our own.”

Baked beans trace their roots back to Native American cuisine. European settlers in the United States adapted the recipe, and the canned version we recognise today was developed in the late 19th century.

Heinz, the famous American food company, began exporting baked beans to the UK in the early 1900s, where they were initially considered a luxury item.

Their popularity in Britain surged during World War I and World War II, as their affordability, long shelf life, and high protein content made them a practical wartime food. Rationing encouraged the British government to promote them as an economical source of nutrition.

Over time, baked beans became a cherished part of British cuisine, featuring in full English breakfasts and on countless slices of toast.

Grocery expert Richard Price, from BritSuperstore, an online retailer specializing in British goods, said: “Baked beans are one of the most popular items we ship to British expats around the world, especially to those living in the US. There’s something about a tin of Heinz that brings a taste of home, whether it’s for a full English breakfast or the classic beans on toast.

“What surprises many people, though, is that baked beans actually originated in the US, yet they’re nowhere near as popular over there as they are in the UK. While Americans tend to favour barbecue-style beans with a sweeter, smokier flavour, Brits have fully embraced the savoury tomato sauce version, turning it into a household staple.

“It just goes to show how food traditions can evolve in completely different ways!”

Despite their American origins, the British have firmly made baked beans their own, and they remain a cultural icon in the UK. Whether served as part of a hearty breakfast or as a simple comfort meal, they continue to hold a special place in the nation’s heart, even if their roots lie across the Atlantic.