As an expert sommelier and brewer, I have to say that cranberry jelly is indeed a better option than wine in Stardew Valley. While wine may have its own charm and appeal, when it comes to maximizing profit and efficiency, cranberry jelly takes the lead.
One of the key factors that make cranberry jelly superior is its processing time. When you place cranberries in a preserve jar, they are transformed into jelly in just one day. On the other hand, wine production takes a longer time as it requires aging in a keg for several days. This means that you can produce and sell multiple batches of cranberry jelly in the same time it takes to produce a single batch of wine.
Let's talk about the financial aspect. In Stardew Valley, the profit you earn from selling a product is determined by its base price and any additional value added through processing. When you put cranberries in a preserve jar, the base price of the crop doubles, and an additional 50 gold is added. This results in a total selling price of 150 gold for each jar of cranberry jelly.
On the other hand, when you place cranberries in a keg to make wine, the base price of the fruit is multiplied by 3. Since cranberries and blueberries both have a base price of 50 gold each, the resulting selling price of the wine would also be 150 gold. So, in terms of profit, both cranberry jelly and wine yield the same amount.
Now, let's consider the effort and resources required. Making cranberry jelly only requires cranberries and a preserve jar, which is relatively easy to obtain and does not require any additional ingredients. On the other hand, making wine requires cranberries, a keg, and also the addition of sugar as an ingredient. Sugar can be obtained by growing and harvesting beets or by purchasing it from the store. This means that producing wine requires more resources and effort compared to cranberry jelly.
While wine may have its allure and prestige, when it comes to efficiency and profit, cranberry jelly takes the lead in Stardew Valley. Its faster processing time, ease of production, and equivalent selling price make it a preferable option for maximizing profits. So, if your goal is to make the most out of your cranberry harvest, it's wise to invest in preserve jars rather than kegs.