A Museum Dedicated To Baked Beans Is Coming To London This Month

By Will Noble Last edited 56 months ago

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Last Updated 29 August 2019

Will Noble A Museum Dedicated To Baked Beans Is Coming To London This Month

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Love beans on toast? Love it enough to visit a museum about it?

Yeah, we're not sure either. Anyhoo, to mark its 150th anniversary, Heinz is launching a 'Beanz Museum', which will explore the nation's twisted obsession with serving up sweet, slimy haricot beans on slices of burnt bread.

Of course, it's not really a 'museum' — but a three-day pop up in Covent Garden, with 'immersive' experiences including a beans slide (sounds fun) and a giant walk-through toaster (less so).

Heinz products have been on sale at Fortnum and Mason since 1886 (although this photo was clearly taken significantly later)

What does earn Heinz some historical clout among London history lovers, is that it's almost 100 years since their baked beans were first introduced to the city. Back in 1886, tins of the stuff (with added chorizo) were flogged to discerning customers at posh Piccadilly department store, Fortnum and Mason. Could any of them have imagined that their faddy new American foodstuff — which they must have served up with great pride at their Mayfair dinner parties — would one day be stashed in the cupboards of the common man, waiting patiently for a rainy day to be opened.