In the Rustbelt we grow some of the nastiest apples in the world!
I do not think that is a true statement. Pennsylvania is an exceptional state to grow apples.
4 of the top 5 best places to grow apples in the US are in the ‘Rustbelt’.
If however you are growing a cultivar that is particularly susceptible to all of the flaws you are showcasing as well as having poor orchard management in order to produce the ‘nastiest apples in the world’ on purpose.. then i reckon congratulations!
Regardless.. either point makes no sense to me nor the statement.
Personally i have eaten the most pristine store bought apple that was ‘nasty’.
I have also eaten apples that looked ‘nasty’ but were absolutely positively delectable.
How did it taste?
Isn’t there an apple grown there known as a red rust-et
Blue hill nursery sells one called Rusty Favorite, but the picture on his website looks a lot better than that one.