This guide compares Kegs and Preserves Jars in Stardew Valley, focusing on their profitability for turning crops into artisan goods. The 1.6 update expanded the usable items in both, including certain foraged goods.
Kegs and Preserves Jars: A Side-by-Side Comparison
Both Kegs and Preserves Jars transform produce into valuable artisan goods, significantly boosting profits, especially with the Artisan profession (40% increased sell price). Crucially, input item quality doesn't affect output quality or selling price. Therefore, use lower-quality produce for maximum efficiency.
Preserves Jars:
Produce: Jelly, Pickles, Aged Roe, Caviar. Obtained via Community Center bundles, Prize Machine, or crafted at Farming Level 4 (50 Wood, 40 Stone, 8 Coal).
| Item In Jar | Product | Base Sell Price |
|---|---|---|
| Any fruit | [fruit name] Jelly | 2 x [base price] + 50 |
| Any vegetable | Pickled [item name] | 2 x [base price] + 50 |
| Certain Mushrooms/Forage | Pickled [item name] | 2 x [base price] + 50 |
| Roe (except Sturgeon) | Aged [fish name] Roe | 2 x [roe price] |
| Sturgeon Roe | Caviar | 2 x [roe price] |
Kegs:
Produce: Wine, Beer, Pale Ale, Coffee, Juice, Green Tea, Vinegar. Obtained via Artisan/Brewer's Bundles, Prize Machine, or crafted at 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 price] |
| Any vegetable (except hops/wheat) | [item name] Juice | 2.25 x [base price] |
| Certain Forage | [item name] Juice | 2.25 x [base 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: The Verdict
- Kegs: Higher profit potential (especially with Cask aging for Iridium quality), but more expensive and time-consuming to craft and process. Wine is generally more profitable than Jelly for fruits.
- Preserves Jars: Cheaper and faster, ideal for early game and low-value, high-yield crops (e.g., Blueberries, vegetables under 200g).
Conclusion: Both are valuable. Kegs offer greater long-term profits, but Preserves Jars provide a quicker return, especially early on. A balanced approach, utilizing both, maximizes efficiency and profit. Consider the individual item's base price and processing time when making your choice.
