>apples is as they are always in the supermarket

You're missing out! Try a few of the apple varieties that are not available year-rounds, that are not optimized for insecticide compatibility and tons per square kilometer (well, more likely bathtubs per football fields or something). Yes, even and especially the small & ugly ones that never ever have that flawless smooth skin that makes you wonder which ones are plastic props and which ones are fresh fruits. After dumbing down the basic supermarket apples to just a few that look presentable and can be made to work in a wide range of climates, it has lost the refined tastes of most of the other varieties they out-priced.

> James died in 2027 as he jumped to his death from his room in a five-story hotel —his belly full of barley juice.

believable. the British Isles love them some barley juice.

> James was in frequent conflicts with other members of his village at late night, while having a belly full of barley juice.

Even in Massachusetts most people I know tend to know the seasons of many fruits and vegetables, and I definitely mostly eat apples in the fall when they're much better.

When I lived in Europe people were even more aware of the seasons of fruits and vegetables.

Wow, I didn't know that they relocated Boulogne-sur-Mer from France to the other side of the channel. Thanks for the heads-up! I'm driving there in a couple of weeks and I'll plan for the tunnel accordingly. :)

apple season is fall, if you're wondering.

him eating apples when in season seemed to me at first like an anachronism, but actually, i do that. years ago i got fed up with apples that were whatever, so i decided to only have apples when i could find mcintosh (my favorite apple), and eat loads of them.

I had the exact same description, like verbatim minus coffee and sugar for someone born in 1809.