In Episode 5 the intrepid team enter their blue period. Neil finds out how a unique blue cheese was resurrected from obscurity thanks to some mouldy leather. Allie explores the significance of blue corn to the Hopi in Arizona. And Sam explains why a blue flower was believed to lift the spirits (and also looks great in a glass of Pimms).

Blue Cheese

• Stichelton Dairy
• Neal’s Yard Dairy
• Eau de Stilton
• Harold McGee, On Food & Cooking (1984)
• Val Cheke, The Story of Cheese-Making in Britain (1959)

Blue Corn

• Flour: A Comprehensive Guide by Christine McFadden, 2018
• Hopi Culture - https://itcaonline.com/member-tribes/hopi-tribe/
• The Corn Maiden in Hopi Tradition: https://blog.kachinahouse.com/the-corn-maiden-unveiling-the-harvest-and-fertility-symbolism-among-the-hopi/

Borage

• ‘Borage – A Star Of Nature’ on Stories From The Museum Floor , 25 August 2017
• Robert Tyas, The sentiment of flowers; or, Language of flora (1841)
• John Gerard, The Herbal, or a Generall historie of plantes (1636)
• Pliny, Natural Histories VII
• Anon, A Proper New Booke of Cookery (1575)

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Sam Bilton also hosts the Comfortably Hungry Podcast and is the author of First Catch Your Gingerbread, Fool’s Gold: A History of British Saffron and The Philosophy of Chocolate. You can find her on