Datil Peppers
Datil peppers are prized in gardens throughout Northeast Florida for their sweet, fruity tanginess paired with a spicy heat. It’s especially popular in the St. Augustine area, where it’s been grown since the 1700s and can be found in hot sauces, chowders, popsicles, desserts, jams and jellies.
Characteristics
The datil pepper plant (Capsicum chinense) is an annual that grows 1 ½ to 5 ½ feet tall and its fruits (peppers) are from ½ to 4 inches long. These relatively small peppers start out green and turn orange when mature.
Like all hot peppers, datil peppers get their spiciness from a compound known as capsaicin. The relative heat of a pepper is measured on the Scoville scale, and datil peppers range from 100,000 to 300,000 Scoville Units. This is similar in range to the habanero and the Scotch bonnet pepper. But datil enthusiasts say that these peppers are set apart by a sweet, fruity tang coupled with their heat.
Families have passed down treasured recipes of datil pepper hot sauce for generations. Some amateur chefs whip up their own special sauces, but in general, the typical recipe involves brown sugar, ketchup, tomato paste and datil peppers.
This pepper is not only grown on front porches and in garden beds, it also has dedicated commercial growers in both Putnam and St. Johns counties. Several commercial selections of datil sauces including Dat’l-Do-It, Dixie Datil, Minorcan Mike’s and Mayhem Datil Pepper Sauce, all of which may be purchased in local restaurants or shops.
Planting and Care
While common in Northeast Florida, the datil pepper can be grown throughout the state from seed or transplant. It is a great option for a summer garden, as it will continue to grow even as temperatures heat up. Datil peppers prefer 60% to 70% shade and well-drained soil. You may choose to plant your pepper in raised beds or a pot, which is convenient for smaller spaces.
Consider placing your datil pepper plant (and any hot pepper) away from walkways and patios, as well as areas easily accessible to children and pets. Hot peppers are very irritating to skin and eyes and may cause stomach upset if consumed whole.
Be sure to plant after the last frost in the spring in either February or March. In three to five months, plants will begin producing peppers ready for harvest season, which normally runs from July through November. It’s strongly recommended that you wear gloves when harvesting and handling your datil peppers.
Hot peppers are relatively drought-tolerant, but you should water them regularly to keep them productive. Common pests include aphids and pepper weevils, which insert an egg at the base of the fruit and the larvae then cause the peppers to drop.
Datil peppers are a fun addition to an edible garden, especially if you’re looking to add a little fire and flavor to various dishes. You can purchase datil pepper plants online. It’s common for gardeners to pass along seeds, so ask around at local garden clubs, too. Contact your local UF/IFAS Extension agent with questions and for recommendations in your area.