Discover What Kind of Beans Does Bush's Baked Beans Have?

Founded in 1908, Bush Brothers & Company has become the largest producer of canned baked beans in the United States, selling over $400 million in products annually. Their iconic Original Baked Beans rely on a single, specific type of legume to achieve their signature taste and texture.

Quick Summary

Bush's Original Baked Beans are famously made with tender navy beans, also known as haricot beans, slow-cooked in a signature sauce for a classic, creamy texture.

Key Points

• Navy Beans: Bush's Original Baked Beans primarily use small, white navy beans, known for their creamy texture.

• Haricot Beans: Navy beans are the same as haricot beans, a term often used in the UK.

• Flavor Foundation: The mild flavor of the navy bean provides the perfect base, allowing Bush's signature sweet and savory sauce to dominate.

• Key Ingredients: The iconic taste comes from navy beans slow-cooked with brown sugar, cured bacon, and a special spice blend.

• Cooking Method: Despite the name, canned baked beans are cooked by steam rather than being baked in an oven.

• Variety: While navy beans are the standard, other Bush's products, like chili beans or vegetarian options, feature different legumes.

Unveiling the Legume Behind the Legend

For generations, the "Secret Family Recipe" has been a central part of the Bush's Baked Beans story, with the beloved golden retriever Duke guarding the coveted formula. While the precise spice blend remains a mystery, the type of bean used in the original recipe is no secret. Bush's Original Baked Beans are made with prepared navy beans. This small, versatile legume is the foundational ingredient that gives the classic baked beans their signature, tender-yet-firm consistency.

What are Navy Beans?

Navy beans, also known as haricot beans in the United Kingdom, are a small, oval-shaped variety of the common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris). They are native to the Americas and were historically a staple in the US Navy, which is where they get their name. Key characteristics of the navy bean make it particularly well-suited for baked beans:

• Mild Flavor: Their subtle taste allows the sweet and savory flavors of the surrounding sauce to take center stage.
• Creamy Texture: When cooked slowly, navy beans develop a creamy, buttery interior while maintaining their shape.
• Durability: They are hardy enough to withstand the long cooking times required for baked beans without becoming mushy.

Why Navy Beans for Baked Beans?

Choosing the right bean is crucial for creating the perfect pot of baked beans. While other legumes like pinto, kidney, or great northern beans can be used in homemade recipes, navy beans are the traditional and superior choice for several reasons. Their small size allows them to be evenly coated in the thick sauce, and their mild flavor prevents them from overpowering the complex seasonings. This creates a harmonious balance, where the sweet, tangy, and smoky sauce melds perfectly with the creamy beans.

The Anatomy of Bush's Secret Family Recipe

While the full recipe is famously off-limits, the ingredient list provides a detailed look at what makes Bush's beans so distinctive. The secret is not just in the navy bean itself, but in the careful combination of flavors it's paired with.

Signature Sweetness

Bush's beans get their characteristic sweetness from a blend of brown sugar, which provides a rich molasses undertone that balances the savory notes. The addition of fine brown sugar is a hallmark of the classic American-style baked bean.

Cured Bacon and Spices

For the original and many other flavors, specially cured bacon and a signature blend of spices are added during the cooking process. This combination creates a deep, smoky flavor profile that is essential to the classic baked bean experience. It's a flavor many people associate with summer cookouts and barbecues.

A Comparison of Bush's Baked Bean Varieties

Bush's offers a wide array of baked bean flavors beyond the classic Original recipe. While many start with the same navy bean base, the sauces and seasonings differ significantly. Here's a look at some of the most popular varieties:

Feature	Original Baked Beans	Country Style Baked Beans	Vegetarian Baked Beans
Bean Type	Navy Beans	Navy Beans	Navy Beans
Key Flavor	Classic sweet, savory, and smoky.	Richer, thicker, and sweeter with hickory smoke.	Sweet and tangy, no bacon flavor.
Defining Ingredients	Navy beans, bacon, brown sugar, mustard, spice blend.	Navy beans, extra brown sugar, hickory-smoked bacon.	Navy beans, brown sugar, spices, no meat.

The Cooking Process

It's a common misconception that canned baked beans are baked in an oven. The truth is that most commercial baked beans are cooked using a steaming process to ensure consistency and speed. The navy beans are first prepared, then simmered in the sauce and spices to allow the flavors to infuse properly. The entire process is carefully controlled to produce the tender, saucy baked beans we all know and love.

Beyond the Original: Exploring other Beans in Bush's Lineup

While navy beans are the star of the baked bean category, Bush's produces many other canned bean products that feature different legumes. For instance, their chili beans and Sidekicks seasoned beans use various types of beans, including pinto, kidney, and black beans, to achieve specific flavor profiles. This variety caters to different culinary needs and preferences, proving that Bush's expertise extends beyond just the humble navy bean.

Conclusion

For over a century, the navy bean has been at the heart of Bush's Original Baked Beans, serving as the perfect canvas for the brand's signature sweet and smoky sauce. This modest legume, also known as the haricot bean, provides the ideal texture and mild flavor that has made Bush's a staple at tables across America. While the exact recipe remains under wraps, knowing that the perfectly tender navy bean is the core ingredient helps demystify a part of the famous formula, letting everyone appreciate the simple yet profound success behind the iconic brand. For more information, visit the official Bush's Beans website [https://www.bushbeans.com/en_US/products].

Frequently Asked Questions

Are navy beans and haricot beans the same?

Yes, navy beans and haricot beans are different names for the same variety of small, white common bean, Phaseolus vulgaris.

Does Bush's use different beans for different products?

Yes, while the Original Baked Beans use navy beans, other Bush's products like chili beans or seasoned Sidekicks feature different legumes, such as pinto, kidney, or black beans.

Do Bush's baked beans contain bacon?

Bush's Original Baked Beans and several other varieties do contain cured bacon, which contributes to their smoky flavor. However, the company also offers vegetarian options without meat.

Why are navy beans used for baked beans?

Navy beans are ideal for baked beans because their small size, mild flavor, and ability to hold their shape during long cooking times make them perfect for absorbing the sauce without becoming mushy.

Where does Bush's get their beans?

Bush's sources their navy beans primarily from farms in the Midwest region of the United States, including areas in Michigan and North Dakota.

Are canned baked beans actually baked?

Most canned baked beans, including Bush's, are cooked via a steam-canning process rather than being baked in an oven, a process that ensures product consistency and quality.

What is the difference between Bush's Original and Homestyle baked beans?

Both varieties use navy beans, but the Homestyle flavor features a richer and thicker sauce, which includes tomato puree and other ingredients for a different flavor profile than the Original.