Mike Eats a Datil Pepper and Feels the Sweet Florida Heat

🌶️ Sweet heat with a serious bite.

Mike is back in the greenhouse for another Pepper Talk episode, this time taking on the legendary Datil pepper, a regional favorite known for its bright sweetness and habanero-level heat.

Don’t let the sunshine-yellow color fool you. This pepper builds fast, hits the throat hard, and leaves a lasting impression.

👉 Watch the video to see how Mike handles 100,000–300,000 Scoville Heat Units of Datil heat.

About the Datil Pepper

The Datil pepper is one of America’s most unique and culturally significant hot peppers.

Originating in St. Augustine, Florida in the early 1820s, the Datil has become a local treasure, deeply tied to Florida cuisine and food culture. While its exact genetic origins are debated, the Datil is closely related to the habanero and it shows in both heat and flavor.

Datil Pepper Quick Facts

• • Heat Level: 100,000–300,000 SHUs

  • Species: Capsicum chinense

  • Origin: St. Augustine, Florida, USA

  • Flavor Profile: Sweet, fruity, slightly citrusy with strong heat

  • Pronunciation: dah-TEEL or DAH-til (both are accepted!)

What Does a Datil Pepper Taste Like?

The Datil is famous for delivering flavor first, heat second, though the heat doesn’t wait long.

When you bite in, you’ll notice:

• • Bright sweetness up front

  • Fruity, almost tropical notes

  • A fast-building burn that creeps into the throat

If you enjoy habanero heat but want a pepper with a distinctly sweeter personality, the Datil is hard to beat. Mike’s reaction captures that perfectly smooth start, intense finish.

Growing and Using Datil Peppers

Datil pepper plants are known for being:

• • Highly productive

  • Compact enough for containers

  • Reliable performers in warm climates

The plants produce 3-inch yellow pods that ripen to a vibrant golden color when ready to harvest.

Popular Ways to Use Datil Peppers

• • Fresh in salsas and relishes

  • Blended into Datil-style hot sauces

  • Dried and ground into chili powder

  • Added to seafood, chicken, and Southern-inspired dishes

There’s truly no wrong way to use a Datil, as long as you respect the heat.

Why the Datil Pepper Deserves the Spotlight

The Datil isn’t just another hot pepper. It’s:

• • A cornerstone of Florida pepper culture

  • A favorite among sauce makers

  • A perfect step up from jalapeños and serranos

And as Mike quickly learns, it punches well above its weight.

Want to Grow Datil Peppers at Home?

If watching Mike tackle a Datil pepper has you curious to try growing your own, you’re in luck. Datil peppers are productive, flavorful, and a great option for growers ready to step into habanero-level heat.

Whether you prefer starting from seed or planting a head start, we offer Datil pepper seeds, live plants (seasonally), and the growing supplies you need to take peppers from germination to harvest with confidence.

Growing your own means fresher flavor, better control over heat, and the satisfaction of harvesting a pepper with real regional history.