Heinz's Curry Beanz

Dual Specialty Store is a fun market to browse not only because of its wonderful selection of South Asian spices, but also because you can find Anglo-Indian curiosities like this. Check out the retro-exotic font on the word "curry"!

Heinz baked beans, of course, are beloved in Britain, where they are an integral part of the full English breakfast. They achieved iconic status there despite the fact that Heinz is an American company, founded in Pittsburgh in 1875. But by the turn of the 20th century, the company had established a factory in the U.K., and the beans burrowed their way into British hearts.

Now that chicken tikka masala is as common as bangers and mash, it was inevitable that Anglicized curry would find its way into the baked bean can. The navy beans and raisins float in a sticky sauce that includes mashed apples, tomato puree, mango chutney, and very mild curry powder. The concoction is actually pretty tasty, especially with a pinch of cayenne.