Rather a harsh statement, and utterly untrue. However, most of the best California apples are only sold through local outlets, such as farmer's markets or direct from farm stands, so California apples shipped out of state may only be the second rate ones.

However, California grown Pippins are definitely the best - too harsh a winter, and they don't do well at all.

And really, is there an apple nastier than the poor, abused Red Delicious from Washington state that spend months in storage, and hit the supermarkets about March? Mushy, grainy and tasteless.