Preserves Jars in Stardew Valley: A Complete Guide

Using crops to craft artisan goods is a highly effective way to maximize profits in Stardew Valley. While it's true that players often set up large-scale operations for producing Jelly, Wine, and other high-value items at higher levels, Preserves Jars are accessible early in the game, making them an excellent choice for beginners looking to boost their income.

Preserves Jars offer a variety of artisan goods that players can create, significantly enhancing the value of fruits, vegetables, and even foraged items. With the introduction of Stardew Valley's 1.6 update, a range of new items, from Dandelions to Purple Mushrooms, can now be pickled, adding even more potential for profit. Here's a comprehensive guide on how to make the most out of Preserves Jars.

Where To Get Preserves Jars In Stardew Valley

To craft a Preserves Jar, players need to reach Farming Level 4, at which point they'll unlock the recipe. The required materials are:

50 Wood
40 Stone
8 Coal

These materials are easy to gather. Wood comes from chopping trees, Stone from breaking rocks with a pickaxe, and Coal can be obtained by breaking rocks or defeating dust sprites in the Mines. In addition to crafting, players can earn a Preserves Jar by completing the Quality Crops Bundle (or Rare Crops Bundle if using the remixed version) at the Community Center. They might also find one at the Prize Machine in Mayor Lewis' house.

What Are Preserves Jars Used For In Stardew Valley?

Preserves Jars can transform various items into different artisan goods, each with its own processing time and sell price. If players choose the Artisan profession at Farming Level 10, they'll see a 40% increase in the sale price of these goods.

Item	Product	Sell Price	Health/Energy	Processing Time
Fruit	Jelly	2x (base fruit value) + 50	Edible: 2x base fruit energy/health Inedible: 0.5x base fruit health, 0.225x base fruit energy	2-3 in-game days
Vegetable, Mushroom, or Forage	Pickles	2x (base item value) + 50	Edible: 1.75x base item energy/health Inedible: 0.625x base item energy, 0.28125x base item health	2-3 in-game days
Sturgeon Roe	Caviar	500g	175 Energy, 78 Health	4 in-game days
Any Other Fish Roe	Aged Roe	60 + (base fish price)	100 Energy, 45 Health	2-3 in-game days

Only Mushrooms and Forage items that provide positive energy when eaten, such as Chanterelle or Winter Root, can be pickled. Items that subtract energy, like Red Mushroom or Holly, are not suitable. The sell price of the artisan goods is based on the base value of the input item, not its quality. Therefore, it's advisable to use lower-quality produce in Preserves Jars to maximize profit.

Preserves Jars or Kegs?

When deciding between Preserves Jars and Kegs, consider the following:

Preserves Jars are more profitable for fruits under 50g and vegetables/forage items under 160g. They also process items faster than Kegs.
High-yield crops with low base value, like Eggplants, wild foraged berries, Corn, and Tomatoes, are ideal for making Jelly and Pickles.
Preserves Jars are essential for Fish Ponds, as they're the only way to turn Fish Roe into artisan goods, thereby increasing its value.
Mushrooms can only be processed into artisan goods using Preserves Jars or Dehydrators, with Preserves Jars typically offering a better profit margin.

In summary, Preserves Jars are a versatile and accessible tool for Stardew Valley players looking to increase their income early in the game. With the latest update expanding the types of items that can be pickled, they remain a crucial part of any farmer's strategy.