# Approachable Mild Country Hams Lady Edison's Little Shorty is Versatile & Younger-Aged By Laura McQuarrie | Published 2025-12-10 | Lifestyle Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/little-shorty References: [culturecheesemag](https://culturecheesemag.com/news/new-charcuterie-ham-lady-edison-pork/) & [instagram](https://www.instagram.com/p/DRCYNStjUz9/)  [Lady Edison](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cheese-board-tutorial), known for its long-cured country hams, announced [Little Shorty](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/farmhouse-skillets), a younger-aged option for chefs, retailers, and home cooks who want a milder, more versatile option. Little Shorty is aged under six months for an approachable, full-flavor experience that matches well with everything from serving on sandwiches to adding to [charcuterie boards](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/coro-foods). “We created Little Shorty for folks who crave the flavor of a real country ham but want a little less intensity than a long-aged ham,” said Karrie Kimble, Partner at Lady Edison. “It’s still our traditional North Carolina cure—just aged to highlight a softer, rounder profile. Think of it as the gateway ham for people who want to fall in love with country ham.” ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.0/10 - Popularity: 1% | Activity: 1% | Freshness: 58% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle) > [Food](https://www.trendhunter.com/food) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Younger-aged Meats:** The introduction of younger-aged meats like Little Shorty suggests a shift towards milder, more accessible cured meat products catering to diverse consumer palates. - **Milder Flavor Profiles:** A focus on milder flavor profiles opens up opportunities for attracting new customers who are seeking less intense taste experiences in traditional food categories. - **Versatile Culinary Applications:** Products designed for versatility, such as Little Shorty, cater to the growing demand for multipurpose ingredients that fit seamlessly into a variety of dishes and culinary applications. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Artisanal Charcuterie:** The artisanal charcuterie industry can benefit from expanded offerings of milder, shorter-aged products that appeal to a broader audience. - **Gourmet Retail:** Gourmet retail outlets could enhance their appeal by stocking milder country hams, attracting both seasoned enthusiasts and first-time buyers. - **Culinary Innovation:** Culinary innovation is spurred by products like Little Shorty that provide chefs with new flavor profiles and textures, sparking creativity in recipe development. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Honey-Basted Prime Rib Roasts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/honeybaked-prime-rib.md) - [Canadian Thanksgiving Drinking Guides](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/canadian-thanksgivings.md) - [Remixed Classic Breakfast Dishes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cracker-barrel-biscuit-benny.md) - [Festive Football Pop-Up Shops](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/west-ham-united-and-john-lewis.md) - [Chicken-Bacon Breakfast Items](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mighty-mcmuffin.md) - [Pork-Scented Dryer Sheets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/smoked-dryer-sheets.md) - [Budget-Friendly Grocer Holiday Meals](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lidl-us-holiday-meal-deal.md) - [Loaded Italian Sandwiches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/loaded-italian-sandwich.md) - [Triple Meat Breakfast Burritos](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hog-heaven-breakfast-burrito.md)