Datil Hot Pepper (Certified Organic)

Grown by Laughing Springs Farm – Capsicum chinense – 110 days

Datil pepper is a special variety of Capsicum chinense with a very place-based connection to St. Augustine, Florida. In 2007, Jay Bost was studying at the University of Florida in Gainesville and started to learn about the Minorcans, a group of people descended from indentured servants who came to Florida from around the Mediterranean in the 1760s. Fleeing the harsh conditions on the plantation where they were indentured, they migrated and were given refuge and land access in the environs of St. Augustine. The descendants of these people continue to be relatively closely tied to the land and waters of their region. Jay and his friend John spent time visiting with keepers of cultural traditions and noted that the Datil pepper was something of a talisman for these people (who often grew them in five gallon buckets in their yards). Jay and John were gifted seeds by a home gardener and planted them in the Ethnoecology Garden on the University of Florida campus. An investigation into Datil’s origins is available in Florida Historical Quarterly Vol. 74, No 2: ”A Botanical Mystery the Elusive Trail of the Datil Pepper to St. Augustine” by Jean Andrews. Jay and Nora have grown Datils descended from these original seeds in Florida, St Croix-USVI, Waimanalo-Hawaii, and now in Boone, NC.

Datils typically grow to around 2-3′ tall. We recommend 3′ spacing. They tend to grow bushy with multiple trunks. This summer we planted them in our high tunnel and they grew the biggest we have ever seen them (5′ tall).  In this case they needed some trellis support, although previously they have not. They like heat, sun, and water and will benefit from getting an early start in areas with shorter growing seasons. Plan on around 100-120 days to first fruit from seeding, though this will vary depending on heat units. Starting seeds with sufficient heat will result in better germination and establishment – they don’t like the cold! The peppers start a light green, turn a pale yellow-orange, and then ripen to a beautiful golden orange and will hold on the plant for weeks. They are hot (100,000+ SHUs) and have a nice fruity flavor. The peppers are mostly 2-2.5″ long and .5″ wide. Plants are productive, but given the relatively smaller size of the peppers the yield of weight per area is not high. However, given their potency yield of spice per area is high. They make a great hot sauce base. We hope you will enjoy. 200 seeds/gram.