The Datil Pepper: A History of Heat and Flavor in St. Augustine
The datil pepper’s history is nearly as old as St. Augustine itself.
Some like it hot. And those who do know exactly where to look for the hottest peppers around.
St. Augustine is home to the famous datil pepper, a small, pepper that gradually changes from green to yellow to orange color as it ripens, and has a sweet, almost tangy, yet spicy flavor. Long used in cooking on Florida’s Historic Coast, the datil pepper can be eaten raw and is used in a variety of jams, jellies, hot sauces, salsas and dips to accompany all kinds of dishes. Who would think that such a tiny little pepper could pack so much taste!
The datil pepper’s history is nearly as old as the city itself. While the true origin of the pepper is still hotly debated, it is most widely believed to have been brought to St. Augustine by Minorcan immigrants in the 18th century who have used it extensively in their cuisine. Today, the datil pepper is known as “the pepper of St. Augustine” and was at one time featured on the city seal. Local farmers and chefs who espouse the farm-to-table movement and work together to continually create locally inspired dishes featuring the datil.
You’ll find a variety of condiments and sauces, even honey, featuring the unique datil pepper when you dine in St. Augustine’s finest restaurants. You’ll probably taste it in a bowl of local Menorcan clam chowder. You’re sure to find it on one of our classic seafood dishes, Shrimp and Grits. You might want to try the Datil-Dusted Tuna Bowl or the Shrimp & Sausage Pilau at The Floridan restaurant, famous for its down home Southern cuisine. Or try the Datil Pepper Bloody Mary Mixer from The St. Augustine Distillery for a truly refreshing and spicy twist on a classic.There are local shops that sell all kinds of datil sauces and condiments around town.
Pop into Hot Stuff on Treasury Street for a free tasting of their generous supply of hot sauces, including locally produced A Frame and Dat’l Do-It. If you like it hot and spicy, you’ll feel like a kid in a candy store. And if you’d prefer to make your own, you’re in luck. Florida’s mild climate means datil peppers are grown year-round. And there are farmer’s markets throughout the city, like the Wednesday Pier Farmers Market at the St. Johns County Ocean Pier Park or the St. Augustine Amphitheatre Farmer's Market on Saturdays where you can pick up some peppers for your own recipes or a plant to take home with you and cultivate your own datil peppers. Who knows? You might come up with your own unique datil-inspired concoction!