Genetic diversity of the ease of peeling in mandarins

•In citrus, the ease of peeling is determined by peel-pulp adherence and peel resistance to penetration.•We elaborated an easy, efficient apparatus quantifying the peel-pulp adherence and peel resistance to penetration.•The ease of peeling in different citrus types was quantified and compared.•Great genetic diversity of the ease of peeling was exhibited in mandarins.