Archive · 17 Nov 2025
Bean Sales Surge as Humble Legume Becomes Culinary Star
Beans, like those you find in cans, are suddenly super popular!
A brand called Bold Bean Co has everyone loving their creamy butter beans.
People are buying way more beans because they are healthy, especially if you're eating less meat.
They are also really good for the planet because they help the soil.
You can use beans in so many different meals, from a side dish for meat to a pasta substitute.
Plus, you can make a quick and tasty meal like tomato beans in just 15 minutes.
Even though some people think beans take a long time to cook, easy-to-use canned beans mean you can enjoy them without any fuss.
Major supermarkets report soaring demand for canned beans and chickpeas, with Waitrose seeing significant year-on-year sales increases.
Newcomer Bold Bean Co is gaining popularity for its creamy butter beans, contributing to the bean 'renaissance'.
Beans are highlighted for their health benefits as a protein source, being low in fat and high in minerals.
Their versatility in cooking allows them to be used in various dishes, from complementing meats to substituting pasta.
Beans are also recognized for their environmental benefits, acting as nitrogen fixers that improve soil fertility for other crops.
- Who
- Major supermarkets (e.g., Waitrose), Bold Bean Co, food writers, and consumers.
- What
- A significant surge in the sales and popularity of canned beans and chickpeas.
- When
- Recently (year-on-year sales data mentioned).
- Where
- Major supermarkets and online platforms.
- Why
- Beans are increasingly recognized for their health benefits, sustainability, versatility in cooking, and convenience.
Traditional View
Modern Embrace
Perception of Beans
Traditional View
Beans are traditionally seen as a humble, perhaps unglamorous, and sometimes flavorless ingredient.
Modern Embrace
Beans are now celebrated for their versatility, creamy textures, and as a 'nugget of joy' by a new generation of foodies.
Preparation
Traditional View
There's a misconception that beans, especially dried ones, require long cooking times or extensive preparation like soaking.
Modern Embrace
Convenient canned and jarred varieties require no prep and can be used in quick 15-minute meals, dispelling myths about lengthy cooking.
- Supermarket Demand
- Waitrose saw canned bean sales increase by 122% year-on-year, with chickpea sales up over 400%.
- Popular New Brand
- Bold Bean Co is noted for its popular butter beans.
- Health Benefits
- Beans are a healthy source of protein, low in fat, high in minerals.
- Sustainability
- Beans are a sustainable food source and act as nitrogen fixers, improving soil fertility for other crops.
- Versatility in Cooking
- Can be used as a foil for meats, a pasta substitute, in salads, soups, curries, stews, and purees.
- Quick Meal Example
- Charred tomato beans can be prepared in 15 minutes.