A Tale of British Beans on Toast
Today is world kindness day and in my journey to practice self-kindness, I found myself turning to a most unexpected source of comfort: a tin of Heinz Baked Beans. Living in America, finding these distinctive British beans required a special Amazon order, but as part of my self-care routine, I decided I was worth the extra effort.
A Taste of Home
There's something uniquely comforting about British beans on toast that my American friends often struggle to understand. No, these aren't the sweet, brown-sugar laden baked beans you'll find at American barbecues. British Heinz beans come in a light tomato sauce, perfectly balanced between savory and sweet, creating a comfort food that's practically woven into the British cultural fabric.
The Great Bean Debate: British vs. American
For those unfamiliar with the distinction, let me paint a picture:
- British beans (Heinz): Tender navy beans in a thin, tomato-based sauce that's mildly seasoned and only slightly sweet
- American baked beans: Usually made with pork, molasses, and brown sugar, resulting in a thick, sweet sauce
- The difference? British beans are an everyday meal or even a side dish, while American beans are typically reserved for cookouts and barbecues
The Many Faces of British Beans
While beans on toast might be the classic comfort food, British people have elevated bean consumption to an art form. Here are some beloved ways we enjoy our Heinz beans:
The Classic Combinations
- Beans on toast with a perfectly runny fried egg on top
- Chips (thick-cut fries for American readers), beans, and grated cheese melted over the top
- Pie and beans (with a special nod to Scottish pies and their clever raised pastry rim designed specifically to keep the beans from escaping!)
- Bangers (sausages) and beans
- The ultimate comfort trio: bangers, beans, and mash
The Great British Breakfast
No proper British breakfast would be complete without a side of beans alongside:
- Crispy back bacon
- Sausages
- Fried eggs
- Sautéed mushrooms
- Black pudding
- Toast or fried bread
- Grilled tomatoes
A Moment of Self-Care
Today, as I sat down with my perfectly toasted bread topped with piping hot Heinz beans, I realized something: self-kindness sometimes comes in the most unexpected forms. For me, it was taking the time to track down this taste of home, preparing it just the way I like it, and allowing myself to savor every bite without rushing.
Sometimes being kind to yourself means embracing the simple pleasures that bring you joy, even if they need to be imported from across the pond. It's about acknowledging that your comfort matters, your memories matter, and yes, even your particular preference in baked beans matters.
So here's to self-kindness, one bean-laden piece of toast at a time. And if you've never tried proper British beans on toast, perhaps it's time to show yourself some kindness and give it a go. Just remember – it has to be Heinz!
What comfort foods do you turn to when practicing self-kindness? I'd love to hear your stories.
Images taken by me and edited in Canva.