Baked Beans...nothing like 'em (Tesco Value Baked Beans)

Name: MarcoG

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Product:	Tesco Value Baked Beans
Date:	13/05/08 (129 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Easy to cook, convenient, VERY cheap, filling

Disadvantages: Too much salt and sugar

I must say, in the last week or so I've been getting the bug for writing, so have thought 'ooo I could review that' on just about everything I eat and use. Whilst making my dinner, of good old beans on toast, I was reminded how much I love 'Value beans' and how great value I think they are. I always make sure that I have a tin of them in my cupboard.

As far as taste goes, I can't tell any difference between these and the bigger brands. To be honest, the only reason I buy them is because they are so cheap, one tin costs a measly 20p for Tesco. Ok, so I may be only saving myself about 30p by buying the cheaper option, but it makes me feel better, 'every little helps'. But even trying an expensive tin, you won't be getting much extra, in my opinion. People have commented that in a value tin, you will get more sauce, which is arguably more watery, but I don't always find that to be the case. Yes, there is a lot of sauce, but there would be if the tin has been sitting still in the cupboard as the beans would have settled further down the tin, leaving the sauce sitting on top.

Ok, I lied a little bit, I don't just buy them because they are cheap, they are very filling, quick and convenient. They can be eaten as an accompaniment with meals (sausage, chips and...beans), or as the main part of dish (beans on toast). They are often served hot, although you can eat them cold. You can either heat them on the hob, or in the microwave, whichever is most convenient for you. They are also very good to cook with - as an addition to mix with mince meat dishes, pasta dishes, as part of a cooked breakfast or simply...on toast.

Nutritionally, baked beans are good for you, sort of. Basically, they are haricot beans (a very good source of fibre) in a (somewhat sweet) tomato sauce. Yes, baked beans contain a vegetable and one of your '5 a day', but they contain a lot of sugar and salt that displeases the heart specialists. Half a can contains 105 calories (5% of your GDA), quite a large portion of sugar at 8.6g (10% of your GDA), an even larger portion of salt at 1.3g (21% of your GDA) and hardly any fat or saturates at all (approx 1% of your GDA). A tin will include 44% of haricot beans and 26% tomato paste, other ingredients include water, sugar, glucose-fructose syrup (ouch) and onion powder amongst other bits and bobs. There, you can sleep well now.

As a little bit of trivia...did you know that 'Value beans' are a massive 'loss leader' for supermarkets? This means, that the supermarkets purposefully lose profit by selling them so cheaply. The theory of doing this, is if consumers think that they can get something very cheaply, like beans, then that supermarket must be affordable and a good place to shop. I've never really thought about it before, but it makes sense. We should start a revolution and go and buy 'Value beans' on mass...that will wipe the smile of the supermarket giant's face!

Thanks for reading :)


© MarcoG 2008

Summary: A very handy addition to any kitchen cupboard