Ingredient format

Canned

Sealed in the can and cooked in it: shelf-stable at room temperature until opened.

What it is

What Canned means

Canned product is sealed in its can and then heated in the can until it is commercially sterile. That heat both cooks the product and preserves it, so an unopened can keeps at room temperature with no freezer or cooler.

Canned beans are packed in water, which is drained before use. Once a can is opened, the contents need to be refrigerated like a fresh product.

Because it is ready to use and stores without refrigeration, canned product is simple to hold in inventory, and it is already cooked.

How it compares

Canned versus similar formats

The formats buyers most often weigh it against, and what actually differs.

Canned vs.
Aseptic
Aseptic product is sterilized before it is packed, usually for a shorter time at high temperature, and comes in large bags in drums or totes. Canned product is heated in the can, so it is cooked further, and comes in cans.
About Aseptic →
Canned vs.
IQF Ready to Eat
IQF Ready to Eat beans are also fully cooked, but are frozen without any liquid and stored frozen. They can be weighed out by the piece, with no draining, and generally hold a firmer texture.
About IQF Ready to Eat →
Canned vs.
Dry beans
Dry beans cost the least to ship and store, but have to be soaked and cooked on site. Canned beans arrive cooked and ready to use.
Not a format we currently list.