I came across this website and thought everyone here would appreciate it. I guess taste perception for citrus is more than just brix and acid levels. There is also some interesting information on market trends with fresh fruit. Check it out:

http://thecaliforniastandard.com/

It would be nice if a piece of California fruit sold in a supermarket actually tasted good. It would be a first for me.

Phil, are you being a little too tough on California fruit? Personally, I've tasted a lot of good California citrus. It must be OK to most Americans, as California growers sell millions and millions and yet more millions of cases of citrus. Somebody besides me must be liking the taste California citrus.- Millet

Frankly, I second Phil's opinion on most of citrus we get from our local stores. Guess, we should have different suppliers than the other places get.

It always seems to be great here. I wouldn't be on this site if all I ate growing up was nasty citrus.

Most of the citrus that we buy here in Atlanta tends to be quite tart, and often dry. It's quite unusual when my wife and I get a batch that turns out to be good. If I didn't have good memories of my childhood and visits to Jamaica (and what Citrus can really taste like) , I probably wouldn't bother.

They must ship really green citrus to the East Coast, and save the ripe stuff for you West Coasters. That would make financial sense.....

Other than limes, I have not bought much citrus in years, but I do remember one yr a few years back when CA naval oranges were close to as good as LA naval oranges I had bought for years. The peel was thin and the fruit sweet and juicy--not the norm for CA naval oranges we usually get here.

Maybe it's the shipping and storage, but in general CA naval oranges are not that great here. The Cuties (clementines) are sometimes good, but never as good as the Spanish clementines we get here.

A lot depends on the retail store you buy from. I mostly buy citrus from my local market that is more of a "health food store" similar to whole foods - which stocks very good citrus, both from FL and CA. They buy from smaller growers why care about the quality not volume. I pay a little more but that's ok for quality fruit. My personal preference is probably FL citrus, its always fresh, juicy and sweet

I only buy citrus in the winter months, from about the end of December until the beginning of April. It's the only period in which I can find citrus with acceptable (to me) taste. Outside these months most citrus is insipid.