This is the best can of beans you'll ever eat

There's something beautiful about a can of beans. Maybe in this age of plastic, any food packaged in metal makes it seem special. Maybe it's nostalgia − a reminder of old cowboys sitting by campfires eating their beans straight of the can. Who knows. What I do know is that when it comes to canned legumes, there's nothing better than Heinz Beans in tomato sauce.

Let’s start with the can itself. A 1950s turquoise work of art that stands out in the food aisle. The beans were first imported to the United Kingdom from Pittsburgh-based Heinz in the early 1900s and became so popular that the company soon opened two UK factories to meet demand.

Heinz Beans aren't just meant for old cowboys, either. They were the preferred breakfast of the Royal Family (it is said that Princess Diana had them at least three days a week). And in 2009, Queen Elizabeth paid a visit to a Heinz factory herself. A true fangirl if there ever was one. These days, Heinz still has a Royal Warrant that allows them to cater to all of the Royal households. Apparently, Queen-Consort Camilla loves them, too.

I understand why. To me, Heinz beans are luxurious. The beans are cooked so they achieve a perfect amount of creaminess; the tomato sauce is so deliciously sweet that you can eat them straight out of a bowl (or if you're alone, a saucepan). But the best way to enjoy Heinz Beans is heating them up and spreading them on a sturdy slice of toast. Sure you can use fresh, crusty artisan bread from Allez or Blue Oven, but simple supermarket bread will do. Spread them generously on top with a dash or Worcestershire or HP sauce. You can also use them as part of a traditional English breakfast, alongside eggs, sausage (or in our case goetta), grilled vegetables and toast.

Either way, Heinz Beans might call to mind lonesome cowboys or people's princesses − the simple pleasures in life and the luxurious things, too.

Imported from the United Kingdom, Heinz Beans can be tricky to find, but, look hard enough, and you can usually spot them at Kroger. They’re also available at the new World Market that recently opened in Rookwood Commons.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: This is the best can of beans you'll ever eat