Is Wine or Jelly Worth More in Stardew Valley? A Comprehensive Guide
The age-old debate among Stardew Valley farmers: is it better to turn your hard-earned crops into wine or jelly? The answer, as with many things in this charming farming simulator, is nuanced and depends on various factors. However, the general rule is that wine, especially when aged, typically yields a higher profit than jelly, particularly when using high-value fruits. Let’s dive deep into the specifics, comparing the two artisan goods and uncovering the most profitable strategies.
Wine vs. Jelly: The Core Differences
Understanding the fundamental differences between wine and jelly is crucial for maximizing your profits. Wine is made in kegs and has a base sell price that’s 3x the base value of the fruit used. Jelly, on the other hand, is produced in preserves jars and sells for 2x the base value of the crop plus 50g. These basic formulas already suggest an advantage for wine, but the story doesn’t end there.
The Power of Starfruit
When discussing artisan goods, Starfruit reigns supreme as one of the most profitable crops in Stardew Valley. A single Starfruit sells for 750g, making it a prime candidate for both wine and jelly. Let’s compare the base sell prices:
- Starfruit Jelly: 2 * 750g + 50g = 1,550g
- Starfruit Wine: 3 * 750g = 2,250g
Even at base quality, Starfruit wine is considerably more profitable than Starfruit jelly. But what about aging?
Aging Wine for Maximum Profit
One of the key advantages of wine is its ability to be aged in a cellar using casks. This process increases the quality of the wine from normal to silver, then gold, and finally to iridium quality, which doubles the base selling price. This transformation takes a considerable amount of in-game time, about two seasons to reach iridium quality, but the resulting profit is substantial.
- Iridium Quality Starfruit Wine: 2 * 2,250g = 4,500g
While jelly cannot be aged, this ability puts wine far ahead in terms of long-term profitability. However, it’s not quite a clear-cut victory.
The Role of Other Crops
While Starfruit is a top contender for wine, other fruits and even vegetables play a role in the artisan goods economy. While the general rule is fruits for kegs and vegetables for preserves jars, there are exceptions. If you’re dealing with lower value crops, like berries, the small boost in jelly value may be more appealing, due to the high-quantity yields of some of these crops.
Jelly can be incredibly profitable using high-yield low-base-value crops. For example, wild berries such as strawberries, cranberries, and blackberries, while not worth much on their own, become quite lucrative when turned into jelly. The combination of low base cost + high harvest quantity make it a quick and relatively hands-off way to earn money, particularly early game.
The Time Factor
Another element to consider is processing time. Preserves jars are much faster than kegs. A jar will process a single item in just a few in-game hours, while kegs take several in-game days. For crops that need to be turned quickly into product, this makes jelly more efficient in the short-term. Wine requires careful planning, since a keg takes more time, and aging in casks further increases the wait.
The Artisan Profession
The Artisan profession, unlocked at Farming level 10, grants a 40% increase to the sell price of all artisan goods. This is a massive boost that affects both wine and jelly, making them even more lucrative. With this profession, the gap in profitability between aged wine and jelly widens, cementing wine as the most profitable.
Conclusion: Wine Generally Wins
In the vast majority of situations, wine is worth more than jelly in Stardew Valley, especially when considering aged wines from high-value fruits like Starfruit and Ancient Fruit. While jelly offers a quicker return on investment using high-yield and/or low-value crops, the ability to age wine in casks to iridium quality significantly increases its profitability over time.
The choice depends on your play style, available resources, and desired level of micro-management. If you are looking for consistent moderate income, jelly can be a very reliable choice. However, if you have access to a cellar, the time and money to invest in kegs, and have the patience, aged wine will undoubtedly be your most lucrative option.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the most profitable wine in Stardew Valley?
Starfruit wine is generally considered the most profitable, especially when aged to iridium quality, with a base value of 2,250g that goes up to 4,500g with aging. Ancient Fruit wine is also a strong contender, but Starfruit is more readily available and has a higher base price.
2. Is it worth aging wine in Stardew Valley?
Yes, absolutely. Aging wine in casks significantly increases its selling price. While it takes time, it’s one of the most effective ways to maximize profits from artisan goods.
3. Is it worth it to make jelly in Stardew Valley?
Yes, it is. Jelly always sells for more than the base crop it’s made from (except for Blackberries with the Bear’s Knowledge). Jelly is great for utilizing low-value, high-yield crops.
4. What crops are best for jelly in Stardew Valley?
High-yield crops with low base value like strawberries, cranberries, blackberries, and salmonberries are excellent for jelly production. Eggplants, tomatoes, and corn are also good candidates.
5. What is better for starfruit, wine or jelly?
Starfruit wine is far more profitable than Starfruit jelly, especially when aged to iridium quality. The 3x base value multiplier for wine combined with aging gives it a distinct advantage over jelly.
6. How long does wine take to reach iridium quality?
It takes about two full seasons (56 in-game days) for wine to age from normal to iridium quality in a cask.
7. Should I sell milk or cheese in Stardew Valley?
If you have the Rancher profession, sell the milk outright. If you have the Artisan profession, process the milk into cheese. Cheese’s value is increased by the Artisan perk, making it worth the extra step of processing.
8. What is the most expensive thing to sell in Stardew Valley?
The Legend and Legend II fish, especially at iridium quality with the right fishing profession, can sell for up to 15,000g, making them the most expensive items to sell.
9. What is the most profitable item to make in Stardew Valley?
While aged Starfruit and Ancient Fruit wines are very profitable, the highest return on investment often comes from items like Pale Ale due to its high value and quick processing time using hops.
10. Is it more profitable to make pickles or jelly?
The formula for both jelly and pickles is the same: (2 x Base Crop Value + 50g), so profitability is dependent on the base price of the crop you are using. Both are equally profitable when using the same base crop.
11. What is the general rule for kegs and preserve jars?
The general rule is to use kegs for fruits and preserve jars for vegetables. Kegs multiply fruit values by 3, while they only multiply vegetable values by 2.25.
12. Can wine become gold quality in Stardew Valley?
Yes, wine can be aged from normal quality to silver, gold, and finally iridium quality using casks in the cellar.
13. Does the quality of fruit affect jelly in Stardew Valley?
No, the quality of the fruit does not affect the sell price of jelly. Jelly always uses the base value of the fruit.
14. What profession is best for artisan goods in Stardew Valley?
The Artisan profession, unlocked at Farming level 10, is the best for maximizing profit from artisan goods. It increases the sell price of artisan goods by 40%.
15. What is the rarest item in Stardew Valley?
Items like the Prismatic Shard, Living Hat, and Tea Set are among the rarest items in Stardew Valley, with drop rates generally less than 1%.