One of the most iconic British foods has received a drastic makeover at the hands of gastronomic design duo Bompas & Parr. The British pair, who founded their studio after graduating from University College London and The Bartlett school of architecture respectively, have now worked their magic on the humble Heinz baked bean. Five flavours have been matched with a handmade bowl and a musical spoon that you listen to through your mouth (as we found out last week, sound has an important influence on your taste buds – The Singleton Sensorium) to create the ultimate baked bean experience.
The Barbeque flavoured beans come with a charred limewood bowl (giving it a smoky smell) and a spoon playing blues music and the sound of sizzling, whilst the Cheddar cheese variety comes in a bowl shaped like a wheel of cheese, and a spoon playing a melody inspired by Elgar and played with a cheese wire. Other flavour options are garlic and herb, fiery chilli and curry, and each has a cleverly crafted bowl and spoon to match - it’s British tongue-in-cheek design at its edible best.
All five Heinz Beanz Flavour Experiences are available in limited numbers from Fortnum & Mason – the only real problem is choosing which one to try.