Beans don’t have to mean Heinz, after the best-seller was trumped in a taste test by cheaper own-label rivals.
They may have been around for more than 130 years, but Heinz’s kitchen cupboard staple came a lowly joint eight out of 12 in a blind taste test by consumer group Which?
It was roundly beaten by a number of supermarket own-label versions, all less than half the price.
Which? gathered a panel of regular baked bean eaters to rate each product for taste, texture, aroma and appearance.
Panellists didn’t know which brand they were trying, and were in a private booth so they could not confer.
Heinz Baked Beans scored 71%, with Which? summing-up: “The texture of the sauce and beans were high points, but more than a third of tasters said the flavour was too weak.”
They were by far the most expensive at £1.39 for 415g tin, though cheaper as a multipack.
Top was Asda Baked Beans, which cost 50p for a 410g can, and got a score of 77%.
If you can’t see the poll, click here
“Asda’s own-brand baked beans were a cut above all the rest for flavour,” said Which?
“Three-quarters of our tasters thought they had the perfect tomatoey taste.
“They were also some of the best rated beans for colour and sweetness.”
Next was discounter Aldi’s Corale Baked Beans, with a score of 75% and 45p for a 420g tin.
Reena Sewraz, Which? Retail Editor, said: “Our latest taste tests reveal that supermarket own-label baked beans have beaten the established brands including Heinz, and the great news for shoppers is that the winning products cost less than half the price compared to the offerings from some rivals.
“Many households are looking for ways to cut their spending due to the ongoing cost of living crisis.
“Opting for supermarket own-label groceries is not only a great way to save money, but you often get tastier products as well.”
The best-tasting beans, according to the Which? study
1. Asda Baked Beans – 77% - 50p for 410g (£1.22 per kg)
2. Aldi Corale Baked Beans – 75% - 45p for 420g (£1.07 per kg)
3. Branston Baked Beans – 74% - 90p for 410g tin (£2.20 per kg)
=4. Co-op Baked Beans in Tomato Sauce – 73% - 55p for 400g tin (£1.38 per kg)
=4. M&S Baked Beans – 73% - 50p for 400g tin (£1.25 per kg)
=4. Sainsbury’s Baked Beans in Tomato Sauce – 73% - 43p for 400g tin (£1.08 per kg)
7. Lidl Newgate Baked Beans – 72% - 45p for 420g tin (£1.07 per kg)
=8. Heinz Baked Beans – 71% - £1.39 for 415g tin (£3.35 per kg)
=8. Morrisons Baked Beans – 71% - 49p for 410g tin (£1.20 per kg)
=8. Tesco Baked Beans in Tomato Sauce – 71% - 50p for 420g tin (£1.19 per kg)
=8. Waitrose Essential Baked Beans in Tomato Sauce – 71% - 55p for 400g tin (£1.38 per kg)
12. HP Baked Beans in a Rich Tomato Sauce – 67% - £1 for 415g tin (£2.41 per kg)
