Using one's crops to craft artisan goods is one of the most lucrative ways to earn money in Stardew Valley. While it's often at higher levels that players create extensive setups for producing 
Jelly and 
Wine, 
Preserves Jars become available quite early in the game, allowing even low-level players to leverage them for significant advantage.
There's a wide range of artisan goods that players can produce using Preserves Jars, which can help boost profits from fruits and vegetables and make Fish Ponds more worthwhile. Here's a comprehensive guide on how they work and what you need to know.
Updated January 11, 2025, by Demaris Oxman: Stardew Valley's 1.6 update introduced an exciting new feature for farmers: the ability to pickle many new items! From the humble 
Dandelion to the rare and valuable 
Purple Mushroom, a variety of foraged items can now be placed in a Preserves Jar to increase their value. This guide has been updated to include all the new ways to use this essential farm item.
Where To Get Preserves Jars In Stardew Valley
Players unlock the recipe for Preserves Jars at Farming Level 4. To craft one, you'll need the following materials:
- 50
Wood - 40
Stone - 8
Coal
These materials are relatively easy to gather, making Preserves Jars an excellent choice for players aiming to produce a large quantity of artisan goods quickly. Wood can be obtained by chopping down trees, Stone by breaking rocks with a pickaxe, and Coal by mining or defeating dust sprites in the Mines.
In addition to crafting, players can earn one Preserves Jar by completing the Quality Crops Bundle (or the Rare Crops Bundle if remixed) in the Community Center. They may also be available from the Prize Machine in Mayor Lewis' house.
What Are Preserves Jars Used For In Stardew Valley?
Preserves Jars can transform various items into different types of artisan goods. If players choose the Artisan profession at Farming Level 10, the sale price of each item increases by 40%.
| Item | Product | Sell Price | Health/Energy | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fruit | Jelly | 2x (base fruit value) + 50 | For edible fruit: - 2x base fruit energy - 2x base fruit health For inedible fruit (e.g., Coconut): - Health: 0.5x base fruit value - Energy: 0.225 base fruit value | 2-3 in-game days |
| Vegetable, Mushroom, or Forage |  Pickles | 2x (base item value) + 50 | For edible items: - 1.75x base item energy - 1.75x base item health For inedible items (e.g., Pumpkin): - Energy: 0.625x base item value - Health: 0.28125 base item value | 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 placed in a Preserves Jar. Poisonous items like Red Mushroom and Holly cannot be pickled.
The sell prices are calculated based on the base value of the item placed in the jar, not considering item quality. Therefore, a Jelly made from a gold-quality Apricot will have the same value as one made from a normal-quality Apricot. To maximize profit, it's recommended to use the lowest-quality produce in Preserves Jars.
Preserves Jars or Kegs?
Preserves Jars are often compared to Kegs, as both can transform fruits and vegetables into artisan goods. Preserves Jars are most profitable for fruits with a base value under 50g and vegetables/forage items under 160g. They also process goods much faster than Kegs. High-yield, low-value crops like Eggplants, wild foraged berries, Corn, and Tomatoes are ideal for making Jelly and Pickles.
Preserves Jars are the only way to increase the value of Fish Roe, making them essential for any Fish Pond setup. Mushrooms, which cannot be used in Kegs, can also be processed in Preserves Jars or Dehydrators, with the former typically offering a higher profit margin.
