chinense I'm confused about the Datil pepper

[Grass Snake]

Last year I grew what was supposed to be a Datil pepper but it looked completely different from what I expected. It grew to be an Annuum type pepper that ripened red. It was disappointing because I was under the impression that the datil pepper should be a Chinense type and ripen and stay orange. After trying to find more seeds I noticed there are many different variations of this pepper both Chinense and Annuum, some even turning red. Now I'm wondering if what I grew was an actual Datil pepper. The more I look into it, the more confusing it gets. Below is a picture of Datil peppers from Baker Creek website. It's listed as a Chinense but it looks like Annuums and slightly resembles the pepper I grew out last year. The second pic (from Texas Hot Pepper) is what I thought of as a Datil initially. Third pic is what I actually grew out last year. Anyone know which is the real Datil?

 

[thoroughburro]

From the Spanish dátil, “date”, for its similar size and shape. Enthusiastically cultivated in St Johns County, Florida — particularly St Augustine — by the descendants of 18th century Minorcan indentured laborers. This drop of Florida sun is the only chinense landrace in the US.

A persistent but inaccurate oral history in the St Augustine Minorcan community holds that the pepper was brought by their ancestors from Minorca. In fact, records indicate the first seeds were imported from Santiago de Cuba in the 1880s by St Augustine jellymaker Stephen (Esteban) Valls. Further, an 1849 dictionary of provincial Cuban words listed dátil as a local pepper: “for its resemblance to its namesake”, “the aroma is strong and arousing”, “it is among the most used”.

This website serves as a good description of its oldest, most typical form. The multitude of other forms which you’ve noticed are also grown in the area and are no doubt the result of many local variations and crosses. That said, they should all be Capsicum chinense. Maybe there’s an annuum by the same name, though? It’s a common word after all.

It’s often a mistake to assume a name means only one thing — it usually means many!

 

[Bou]

+1 for what @thoroughburro said. I ordered seeds from Pure Florida before and whatever BC think they are selling it is certainly no Datil peppers!

 

[Grass Snake]

Thanks for sharing that link @thoroughburro. That grower seems to know his stuff and I feel his peppers are the real deal.

 

[Grass Snake]

Now this looks closer to what I grew last year. This is on Trade Winds Fruit website "Datil Pepper, Red"

 

[Grass Snake]

Upright growing Datil

 

[Grass Snake]

It's crazy how many different peppers are being sold as Datil. I'm most interested in the one Florida Pure sells so I placed an order.

 

[MarcV]

No matter if they are true or not, I love what those peppers in that first shot look like! Did they contain any heat?

 

[Grass Snake]

That’s the pic from the Baker Creek website. They are attractive but not the Datil I’m in search of. It’s a hot one according to their website.

Pepper Hot, Datil

BURSTING with fruity, hot goodness! Perfect for spicy salsas, sauces, and fabulous jellies! The renowned pepper originating from St. Augustine, Florida. Local legend says the peppers were brought there from Spain, where they do enjoy a following in Minorca. However, they may also have originated...

www.rareseeds.com

 

[Tinkerbelle]

@Grass Snake - do all Datils have dimples in their bottoms?
I was given pepper plants last year and the owner couldn't remember what they were and they all had dimpled bottoms

 

[Grass Snake]

@Grass Snake - do all Datils have dimples in their bottoms?
I was given pepper plants last year and the owner couldn't remember what they were and they all had dimpled bottoms

Only the fake ones

 

[Tinkerbelle]

so what's the fake ones called?

 

[Grass Snake]

so what's the fake ones called?

The fakes are called Datil pronounced [ Dah-tul ]

The real ones are Datil too but pronounced [ Day-til ]

It's easy to get confused I'm still confused...

 

[Downriver]

I've Datil'ed a few times in the past...

I think this was my first, from 2009. PI281435. Seeds from John Fiedler (@fiedlermiester) RIP


This is what a Datil looked like in 2012.


...there was also Datil Sweet.


...and some others.


So, I guess it's safe to say there is a lot of "variability" when it comes to Datil.

 

[MarcV]

So datil not an actual variety if I understand correctly...

 

[Grass Snake]

I've Datil'ed a few times in the past...

I think this was my first, from 2009. PI281435. Seeds from John Fiedler (@fiedlermiester) RIP


This is what a Datil looked like in 2012.


...there was also Datil Sweet.


...and some others.


So, I guess it's safe to say there is a lot of "variability" when it comes to Datil.

Nice! It appears all were chinense types. Your 2012 is the one that stands out as a real Datil to me. I do like the looks of the first ones though. Is there one you preferred?

 

[Grass Snake]

So datil not an actual variety if I understand correctly...

That's what it's starting to look like but I'm sure there is a "true" Datil and that's what I'm after.

 

[spicy.curry]

So, different sizes and shapes. How about flavor?

Do Datil have a specific unique flavor, or do they just have a generic red habanero type flavor?

 

[The Hot Pepper]

As part of your research you might contact one of those old Florida sauce/jelly companies to see what they use. There's all kinds of companies with datil puns as their name (for That'll) and they've been around since the 80s or even longer. They usually sell jelly, mustard, and sauce. They are very specific about the datil they use and may even only know of that one type. Here's one of the ones I know of, one of the "bigger" (non-farmers market) ones. See what THEY say a datil is.

ABOUT | Dat'l Do-It, Inc.

www.datildoit.com

 

[The Hot Pepper]

Datil pepper a large part of St. Augustine heritage

The perfect balance of hot and sweet, and similar to a habanero but fruitier, the datil pepper is the official plant of St. Johns County. And although the pepper's elusive origin into northern Florid…

www.staugustine.com