I'm keen on Heinz Mean Beanz - Mexican flavour (Heinz Mean Beans Mexican)

Member Name: ChrisGeering

Product:	Heinz Mean Beans Mexican
Date:	30/06/09 (56 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great in chilli con carne

Disadvantages: None

My local Tescos discontinued this range of beans towards the end of last year - I was pleased to see its return last month.

What are they?: This is a range of beans from Heinz that have a slight kick to them. I have found they go well in Chilli con carne, particularly in tortilla wraps. Another serving recommendation on the can is to add with tomatoes, salad and grated chese to traditional Mexican tacos.
The beans look a pale colour akin to baked beans, but the sauce is a darker red colour compared to the lighter red colour from baked beans.

Packaging: The beans are contained with a metal can that can be easily opened by means of a ring pull on the lid - so no tin opener needed. The label is mostly coloured black, with the main text and foreground looking prominent and in a 'wild west" format. The can is made from recyclable steel.

Smell: The cold contents smell a lot like standard baked beans, except that they have a good hint of spices which give the "Mexican" flavour. Once heated the smell of spices is more noticable.

Taste: The beans taste excellent on their own, but even better with minced beef and peppers in a chilli con carne. The beans taste soft after heating through and are quite smooth and not crunchy. The beans are also the size of baked beans so they are quite small. The spice added to the means is mild and makes these beans more palatable than standard baked beans.

Value for money: The beans I purchased cost 66 p - a comparable price to a can of baked beans except that the flavour is nicer.

Overall: Now that these beans have returned, I shall continue to buy them for our weekly chilli, in the hope that Tescos will not withdraw them again!

Cooking instructions:
Hob - Empty contents into a saucepan and stir gently while heating. Do not boil or overcook as this will impair the flavour.

Microwave (Category E - 850 W) - Microwave ovens vary. The following is a guide only.

Empty contents into a microwavable container and cover. Heat on full power for 1.5 minutes. Stir, then heat for a further 1 minute.

Check that product is hot before serving.

Storage: Empty unused contents into a suitable covered container. Keep refrigerated and use within 2 days.

Ingredients: Beans (50%), Tomatoes (38%), Water, Sugar, Mexican Bean Seasoning (Chocolate (contains Milk and Soya Lecithin), Spices, Garlic, Green Peppers, Onion, Herb), Modified Cornflour, Salt, Vegetable Oil, Spirit Vinegar, Colour - Plain Caramel, Flavouring.

Contains: Milk, Soya

Suitable for gluten free diet

Suitable for vegetarians

No artificial colours, or preservatives

Nutrition Information:

Typical Values Per 100g
Energy 323 kJ
Protein 5.0g
Carbohydrate 12.9g
(Of which sugars) (5.1g)
Fat 0.5g
(Of which saturates) (Trace)
Fibre 4.0g
Sodium 0.3g
Salt equivalent 0.7g

Summary: More palatable than baked beans with a hint of spice