It’s not just apples, dear. Mass market capitalism does this to *everything*. Everything just becomes so bland. When I moved from my native Canada to a poor backwater Eastern European country (not in the EU) I suddenly noticed how different the experience is with everything, from your local coffee shop to the tech coworking spaces. The experience was just so much more personal, rich, and boutique, and lovely. Now I can’t stand Starbucks and WeWork, and most Western consumer brands anymore. Sure, being in a poor country you also get a lot of rotten apples as well, but the variety is just so invigorating.