This Stardew Valley guide compares Kegs and Preserves Jars, two crucial tools for transforming crops into valuable artisan goods. While both increase profits, especially with the Artisan profession's 40% bonus, their efficiency and profitability differ.
Updated January 8, 2025: This guide reflects the 1.6 update, which expanded the usable items in both Kegs and Preserves Jars to include various foraged goods like leeks and winter roots.
Basics: Both Kegs and Preserves Jars process items into higher-value products. Input quality doesn't affect output value; use lower-quality produce for maximum efficiency.
Preserves Jars: Create Jellies, Pickles, Aged Roe, and Caviar. Obtained via Community Center bundles, Prize Machine, or crafting (Farming Level 4):
- 50 Wood
- 40 Stone
- 8 Coal
| Item In Jar | Product | Base Sell Price |
|---|---|---|
| Any fruit | [fruit name] Jelly | 2 x [base fruit price] + 50 |
| Any vegetable | Pickled [item name] | 2 x [base item price] + 50 |
| Certain Mushrooms | Pickled [item name] | 2 x [base item price] + 50 |
| Certain Forage Items | Pickled [item name] | 2 x [base item price] + 50 |
| Roe (except Sturgeon) | Aged [fish name] Roe | 2 x [roe price] |
| Sturgeon Roe | Caviar | 2 x [roe price] |
Kegs: Produce alcoholic beverages (Wine, Beer, Pale Ale, Mead) and non-alcoholic options (Coffee, Juice, Green Tea, Vinegar). Obtained via Artisan/Brewer's Bundles, Prize Machine, or crafting (Farming Level 8):
- 30 Wood
- 1 Copper Bar
- 1 Iron Bar
- 1 Oak Resin
| Item In Keg | Product | Base Sell Price |
|---|---|---|
| Any fruit | [fruit name] Wine | 3 x [base fruit price] |
| Any vegetable (except Hops/Wheat) | [item name] Juice | 2.25 x [base item price] |
| Hops | Pale Ale | 300g |
| Wheat | Beer | 200g |
| Honey | Mead | 200g |
| Tea Leaves | Green Tea | 100g |
| Coffee Beans (5) | Coffee | 150g |
| Rice | Vinegar | 100g |
Kegs vs. Preserves Jars:
Kegs: Higher profit potential, especially with Cask aging for Iridium quality (double normal price). However, more expensive and time-consuming to craft and process.
Preserves Jars: Cheaper and faster, ideal for early game or low-value, high-yield crops (e.g., Blueberries). Lower profit per item but quicker turnover can offset this.
Conclusion: Both are valuable. Kegs offer higher long-term profits, but Preserves Jars provide a quicker return and are more accessible early on. A balanced approach, utilizing both, is often the most effective strategy.
