Datil
Also known as Datil Pepper · Datil Chile · St. Augustine Pepper
The Datil pepper is a very hot, heirloom chili famous in Northeast Florida for its sweet, fruity, and intensely aromatic flavor. It is the signature pepper behind Datil pepper sauce and a beloved local treasure in St. Augustine.
About 7.2 times a Capsi Jalapeño (25,086 SHU typical).
Growing
~120 days to maturity
Fruit size
3–9 cm
Flavor & Use
Sweet and intensely fruity with bright citrus and floral notes. The heat is fierce but the complex sweetness makes it one of the most flavorful hot peppers.
Culinary
About
Datil peppers are small (1–2.5 inches), wrinkled, lantern-shaped pods with thin but juicy walls. They ripen from green to a brilliant golden-orange. The plant is highly productive and the heat is very high (100,000–300,000+ SHU).
Backstory
The Datil pepper has been grown in St. Augustine, Florida since the mid-1800s by the Minorcan community. It is believed to have Caribbean roots but has been perfected locally over generations. It is now a protected heirloom and the star of the annual Datil Pepper Festival.
Appearance
Growing
Heritage
ExploreWe don't have a documented family for this pepper yet.
Sources
FAQ
- How hot is Datil?
- Capsi’s sourced range is 61,500–300,000 SHU (Official breeder). Capsi uses a sourced range and a trust tier, not a single marketing number. How we verify heat: https://web.thecapsi.app/learn/heat-and-capsaicin/how-we-measure-heat
- What does Datil taste like?
- Sweet and intensely fruity with bright citrus and floral notes. The heat is fierce but the complex sweetness makes it one of the most flavorful hot peppers.
- How do I grow Datil?
- Datil: about 120 days to maturity, subtropical climate, full sun, hardiness zones 8-12.
- What can I substitute for Datil?
- habanero, scotch bonnet