This Stardew Valley guide details Preserves Jars, a crucial tool for maximizing profits from crops and foraged goods. While Kegs and Jelly production often get the spotlight at higher game levels, Preserves Jars offer early-game advantages and remain valuable throughout.
Obtaining Preserves Jars:
The Preserves Jar recipe unlocks at Farming Level 4, requiring:
- 50 Wood
- 40 Stone
- 8 Coal
These materials are readily accessible early in the game. You also receive one for completing the Quality Crops Bundle (or Rare Crops Bundle in remixed games) and may find them in the Prize Machine.
Uses for Preserves Jars:
Preserves Jars transform various items into artisan goods, significantly increasing their value. The Artisan profession (Farming Level 10) provides a 40% boost to these already profitable goods.
| Item Category | Product | Sell Price | Health/Energy | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fruit | Jelly | 2x (base fruit value) + 50 | Edible: 2x base energy & health; Inedible: 0.5x value (health), 0.225x value (energy) | 2-3 days |
| Vegetable, Mushroom, Forage | Pickles | 2x (base item value) + 50 | Edible: 1.75x base energy & health; Inedible: 0.625x value (energy), 0.28125x value (health) | 2-3 days |
| Sturgeon Roe | Caviar | 500g | 175 Energy, 78 Health | 4 days |
| Other Fish Roe | Aged Roe | 60 + (base fish price) | 100 Energy, 45 Health | 2-3 days |
Important Notes:
- Only energy-positive mushrooms and foraged items can be pickled.
- Sell price calculations use the base item value, regardless of quality. Use lower-quality produce for maximum profit.
- The 1.6 update significantly expanded the range of foraged items that can be pickled, including rare items like Purple Mushrooms.
Preserves Jars vs. Kegs:
Both create artisan goods, but Preserves Jars are more efficient for low-value fruits (<50g) and vegetables/forage (<160g), offering faster processing times. They are essential for processing fish roe and mushrooms, which cannot be used in Kegs.
Maximize your profits by strategically using Preserves Jars for early-game artisan goods and integrating them into your Fish Pond operations. Their versatility and efficiency make them a valuable asset throughout your Stardew Valley journey.
