VarietiesC. chinenseSuperhotDatil pepper
SuperhotC. chinenseUnited States

Datil pepper

Sweet Datil Pepper Hybrid · Heirloom hot datil pepper · St. Augustine Datil

300,000Scoville Heat Units

Heat context

Carolina Reaper
Ghost Pepper
Habanero
Datil pepper
Botanical data
Heat (SHU)300,000
SpeciesC. chinense
OriginUnited States
Days to mature90
Plant height60–120 cm
Wall thicknessThin
Ripe colouryellow-orange
YieldHeavy
Growth habitBush
Germination7-21
FoliageGreen
Unripe colourgreen

About this variety

A treasured heirloom variety deeply rooted in St. Augustine, Florida's Minorcan community since the 18th century. The Datil delivers intense heat comparable to habaneros but with a distinctive sweet, fruity character that sets it apart from other chinense varieties. Named for its resemblance to date palm fruits, this pepper has become a regional icon with protected cultural heritage status.

Flavour profile

fruitysweetcitrus notesintense heatcomplex
Culinary scores
Sauce
10/10
Drying
6/10
Pickling
9/10

Culinary uses

Essential in St. Augustine's Minorcan cuisine, especially in pilau and seafood dishes. Excellent for hot sauces where its fruity sweetness balances the intense heat. Popular pickled, in salsas, marinades, and as a finishing condiment for both traditional Southern cooking and modern fusion applications.

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Quick reference

Heat300,000 SHU
SpeciesC. chinense
OriginUnited States
Days to ripe90
Ripe colouryellow-orange
Best forSauce, Pickling, Essential in St. Augustine's Minorcan cuisine
Data confidence: 4/5. Sourced from community submissions and verified references. Suggest a correction