Baked beans are enjoyed by everyone, whether vegan, vegetarian or meat eater. They are tasty and nutritious and can be eaten on their own, or as part of of a main meal.

The British consume 1.1 billion cans of baked beans a year, making them the world's largest consumer of baked beans.

There are many new healthy varieties of baked beans in the shops now, which contain up to 50% less salt and have artificial sweeteners instead of sugar, so there is no excuse not to have baked beans as part of your everyday diet. They are low in fat, have just 60 to 80 calories per 4 oz (100g) and are a good source of protein.

No one really knows where the original recipe which inspired the baked beans we know and love, came from. Many people think it comes from an American Indian meal of haricot beans which were baked in pits lined with heated coals. These beans were eaten with a sauce made from maple syrup and bear fat.

The French also had an early version of baked beans, known as cassoulet, which was a stew of haricot beans, pork and preserved goose.

In 19th century Boston they adapted the American Indian recipe and replaced the sauce with a mixture of molasses, salt and pork fat, creating the original Boston baked beans.

Henry J. Heinz, launched his own version of baked beans in tomato sauce in 1885. In those days, cans of beans were imported to Britain and cost more than nine pence (9d) each, which is about £1.50 ($3.20) at today's prices .

At the turn-of-the-century, Heinz built a factory in the UK, where they produced baked beans for the British consumer and prices at last came down to where everyone could afford them and they gained popularity rapidly.