> The bigger and sweeter, the better. This isn't true, at least for some geographies. Ability to ship without bruising or spoilage is the dominant factor that

> The bigger and sweeter, the better. This isn't true, at least for some geographies. Ability to ship without bruising or spoilage is the dominant factor that drives breeding, and usually results in smaller and less sweet varieties. I can't remember where I read this, but I'm in the US and can cite as evidence any supermarket aisle in semi-arid Denver during the cold months, when things have to be shipped in from Cali or wherever. Small, hard and flavorless seems to be the norm.