Using your crops to craft artisan goods is one of the best ways to maximize your earnings in Stardew Valley. While setting up large-scale production of 
Jelly and 
Wine typically happens at higher levels, 
Preserves Jars are accessible much earlier in the game, making them a valuable tool for players at any stage.
Preserves Jars offer a range of possibilities for producing artisan goods, enhancing the profitability of your fruits and vegetables, and playing a crucial role in making Fish Ponds more rewarding. Here’s a comprehensive guide to understanding and utilizing Preserves Jars effectively in Stardew Valley.
Updated January 11, 2025, by Demaris Oxman: The 1.6 update for Stardew Valley introduced a thrilling new feature for farmers: the ability to pickle many new items! From the common 
Dandelion to the rare and valuable 
Purple Mushroom, these items can now be transformed in a Preserves Jar to boost their value. For avid foragers and artisans, this guide has been updated to cover the new uses for this essential farm item.
Where To Get Preserves Jars In Stardew Valley
To craft a Preserves Jar, you need to reach Farming Level 4, which unlocks the recipe. The required materials are:
- 50
Wood - 40
Stone - 8
Coal
These materials are easy to gather, making Preserves Jars an excellent choice for quickly producing a large volume of artisan goods. Wood comes from chopping trees, Stone from breaking rocks, and Coal is efficiently farmed by defeating dust sprites in the Mines.
In addition to crafting, you can obtain one Preserves Jar by completing the Quality Crops Bundle (or the Rare Crops Bundle if remixed) in the Community Center. They may also be found in the Prize Machine at Mayor Lewis' house.
What Are Preserves Jars Used For In Stardew Valley?
Preserves Jars can process various items into artisan goods, each yielding different products. If you choose the Artisan profession at Farming Level 10, the sale price of these goods 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 consumed, like Chanterelle or Winter Root, can be processed in Preserves Jars. Items such as Red Mushroom and Holly, which are poisonous and decrease energy, cannot be pickled.
The sell price is based on the base value of the item placed in the jar, not considering its quality. Therefore, using lower-quality produce in Preserves Jars can maximize profit margins. For example, a Jelly made from a gold-quality Apricot will have the same value as one made from a normal-quality Apricot.
Preserves Jars or Kegs?
Preserves Jars are often compared to Kegs since both are used to create artisan goods from fruits and vegetables. Preserves Jars are most profitable with fruits valued under 50g and vegetables/forage items under 160g, and they process goods much faster than Kegs. Ideal candidates for Jelly and Pickles include high-yield, low-value crops like Eggplants, wild foraged berries, Corn, and Tomatoes.
Preserves Jars are also essential for processing Fish Roe into artisan goods, making them vital for any Fish Pond setup. Mushrooms, which cannot be used in Kegs, can be processed in Preserves Jars or Dehydrators, but the former typically offers a higher profit margin.
