Mayhem Datil Pepper Farms
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Attractions Agri-Business & Farming
About
Mayhem Datil Pepper Farms is a Putnam County farm dedicated to one very special piece of agricultural history & Florida’s Hidden Gem: The Datil Pepper.
Our mission is simple: Save The Datil.
We grow only heirloom Datil Peppers — no hybrid varieties. Our seeds have been carefully saved and propagated for 15 growing seasons, helping preserve the characteristics of the traditional Datil Pepper that has been part of Northeast Florida's food culture for generations.
Our philosophy has always been "Pride and Passion Before Profit."
The farm is located on our family's approximately 100-acre property in Pomona Park, which has been in the family since 1883. Today, we grow more than 1,100 Datil Pepper plants and produce fresh peppers, seedlings, and award-winning sauces! We also promote opportunities for people to discover and grow this unique Florida pepper for themselves.
We also work closely with local chefs, restaurants, breweries, growers, and community organizations to introduce more people to the Datil and help preserve its history for future generations.
Mayhem has been fortunate to receive recognition for our Datil products over the years, including People's Choice awards in 2018 and 2019, and our farm and the Datil Pepper have been featured through outlets including ESPN's TrueSouth, Florida Farm & Family, Edible Northeast Florida, and First Coast Living.
But awards and recognition aren't the reason we do it.
For us, it's about making sure this little pepper — one of Florida's Hidden Gems — doesn't disappear.
What Makes the Datil Pepper Special?
The Datil Pepper is famous for its heat, but what truly separates it from other hot peppers is its flavor.
A traditional Datil has a distinctive combination of sweetness, fruitiness, floral aroma, complexity, and a delayed, building heat. It's not simply about making food hotter — the Datil adds a flavor that has become deeply connected to the culinary heritage of Northeast Florida.
That's why we believe the Datil is something worth protecting, growing, eating, and sharing.