[3] Originally, Native Americans sweetened baked beans with maple syrup, a tradition some recipes still follow, but some English colonists used brown sugar beginning in the 17th century.

In the early 20th century, canned baked beans gained international popularity, particularly in the United Kingdom, where they are commonly served in a full breakfast.

[8][11] They substituted molasses or sugar for the maple syrup, bacon or ham for the bear fat, and simmered their beans for hours in pots over the fire instead of underground.

[13] While many recipes today are stewed, traditionally dried beans were soaked overnight, simmered until tender (parboiled), and then slow-baked in a ceramic or cast-iron beanpot.

[14] In the 18th century the convention of using American made molasses as a sweetening agent became increasingly popular in order to avoid British taxes on sugar.

[15] In the absence of a brick oven, the beans were cooked in a beanpot nestled in a bed of embers placed near the outer edges of a hearth, about a foot away from the fire.

A fire would be made in a stone-lined pit and allowed to burn down to hot coals, and then a pot with 11[16] pounds of seasoned beans would be placed in the ashes, covered over with dirt, and left to cook overnight or longer.

[5] Heinz was also the first company to sell baked beans outside of the United States, beginning with sales limited solely to Fortnum & Mason in 1886, when the item was considered a luxury.

[23] Originally, Heinz Baked Beans were prepared in the traditional United States manner for sales in Ireland and Great Britain.

Over time, the recipe was altered to a less sweet tomato sauce with a mix of herbs and spices but without maple syrup, molasses, or brown sugar to appeal to the tastes of the United Kingdom.

[26] In 2002, manufacturers of canned baked beans were allowed to advertise the product as contributing to the recommended daily consumption of five to six vegetables per person.

[citation needed] This concession was criticised by heart specialists, who pointed to the high levels of sugar and salt in the product.