Datil Pepper

Datil peppers are cultivated throughout the United States and elsewhere, but the majority are produced in St. Augustine, Florida where the crops are grown in small batches by local families for their local businesses and restaurants. Local lore suggests datils were brought to St. Augustine by indentured workers from Minorca, Spain in the late 18th century. Datil peppers are used by the Minorcan community in many recipes.

There is a city-wide love of these hot peppers and the Minorcan heritage. Families of these first Minorcan settlers still grow datil peppers. Plus, every year, there’s a datil pepper festival & cookoff in St. Augustine.

They grow to about 3.5 inches in length and mature to a yellowish-orange or red hue. It’s also very similar to the African fatalii pepper in terms of looks and heat.

TASTE: Datils are similar in heat to habaneros but have a sweeter, fruitier flavor.