Stardew Valley: Best Foraged Items, Ranked

Stardew Valley, at a glance, looks like it’s all about farming. However, the game has a lot more layers to it. Players can go mining, fishing, and, of course, foraging. Foraging is a great extra source of income for Stardew Valley players and can provide players with some rare and unique items they may not otherwise be able to find. These items can be found in different places, at varying times throughout the year, giving players something new to look for with each season.

However, as players advance through the game, they may find themselves not knowing which foraging items are worth picking up, as some of them are significantly more valuable than others. Some of them are so valuable that they’re worth actively hunting down, but they can be so rare that players might not even know they exist.

Updated by Stephanie Harris on December 24, 2024: Stardew Valley’s 1.6 update and subsequent patches have changed foraging in a few key ways. Berries from shaken bushes and harvesting moss now grant players 1 foraging XP, while items grown from Wild Seeds only grant 2 XP (instead of 7). Activities like digging up Seed Spots and Artifact Spots, panning, harvesting ginger, and chopping twigs all provide foraging experience. There’s also more to do with foraged items — positive forages can be juiced (except mushrooms), and foraged fruits and positive mushrooms can now be dried, too. Players can also gain foraging experience by reading the Woodcutter’s Weekly or the Book of Stars.

10

Ginger

Grows Wild On Ginger Island

This wild foraged item is not the most valuable, fetching just 60g per piece, but it has a lot of different crafting uses that make it much more helpful than it seems on the surface. When combined with sugar, 3 pieces of ginger make Ginger Ale, a valuable artisan product that sells for 200g and provides players with a luck buff. It is also a required ingredient for making Island Warp Totems.

When Ginger is used with the sewing machine, it creates the adorable Forager’s Hat, and it can be used to create yellow dye too. Ginger is also a resource worth collecting because there are a few challenges where characters ask for it, plus harvesting grants 7 XP for the foraging skill, making it a worthwhile activity for leveling up.

9

Coconut

Foraged Fruit From The Calico Desert

Coconuts are worth between 100g and 200g, depending on their quality. This inedible fruit can be made into artisan products like Coconut Jelly and Coconut Wine, making it a profitable foraged item. The coconut also makes a great gift for Haley and Linus, who both love the item.

Coconuts can be used in a variety of recipes, including Tom Kha Soup, Tropical Curry, and Mango Sticky Rice, all of which offer significant and practical buffs for the player. They also allow players to make the Vacation Shirt, and they contribute to orange dye.

8

Nautilus Shell

Players can find the Nautilus Shell
whilst exploring The Beach during Winter. The Nautilus Shell isn’t actually worth that much in terms of currency, only selling for 120-240g. Despite this, it’s pretty valuable for players looking to work on the Community Center, as it is required for the Field Research Bundle.

Additionally, it can be used by players looking to improve their friendship with Leo, as the Nautilus Shell is one of his loved gifts. Players can also use the Nautilus Shell in the Sewing Machine to create the Strapped Top item.

7

Sea Urchin

Perfect For Dying Clothes

Sea Urcins
can be foraged by players year-round, as long as they know where to look. This little creature can be found in the Tide Pool, east of The Beach. They’re worth a pretty penny, between 160-320g, depending on their quality. It is also required as part of the Dye Bundle in the Community Center.

Players looking for more clothes can use it in the Sewing Machine to create the Strapped Top, too. Finally, players can gift one to Leo to improve their friendship, as Sea Urchins are one of his most loved gifts.

6

Crystal Fruit

Found Throughout The Winter Season

In Stardew Valley, players can most commonly find the Crystal Fruit
whilst foraging during Winter. Players can find themselves struggling to make income during Winter, as they can’t grow many crops. By foraging for Crystal Fruits, however, players can help keep their income up, as this fruit can be sold for between 150-300g each, depending on their quality. This can be increased by 40% by players who chose the Artisan skill, making them even more profitable.

The Crystal Fruit is also valuable for helping to complete the Crafts Room in the Community Center, as it is part of the Winter Foraging Bundle. Overall, this little fruit isn’t too bad, and players should definitely take the time to pick one up when they see it lying around.

5

Chanterelle

Found During Fall In The Secret Woods

Players can forage for the Chanterelle
mushroom during Fall. It can initially only be found in the Secret Woods, but once players can access Ginger Island, they may be lucky and find it in the Mushroom Cave there. It’s definitely worth looking for, as it’s worth between 160-320g, depending on its quality.

This mushroom is also particularly useful for players wanting to create the Life Elixir. This potion will restore the player’s health to full, making it perfect to bring along whilst players are fighting monsters in the mines.

4

Snow Yam

An Elusive Item Found Beneath The Snow

Snow Yams
can be found during Winter, although they’re one of the more unique foraging items in Stardew Valley. They can only be located underneath the snow, and players need to dig them up using a Hoe. Whilst they’re only worth 100-200g each, players can easily farm them on the beach, raking in large amounts of them in the process.

Winter is a hard time for players, as they can’t grow many crops and therefore have very little income, so farming Snow Yams can really help give them a little boost during this season.

3

Purple Mushroom

Players can most commonly find Purple Mushrooms
whilst exploring The Mines, from floor 81 onward. It also has a chance to show up in the Skull Cavern. This rare mushroom is particularly valuable for players trying to complete the Community Center Bundles. It is required for the Field Research Bundle, and can be added to the Exotic Foraging Bundle and Wild Medicine Bundle.

It’s also worth quite a decent amount of money, ranging from 250-500g, depending on its quality. The mushroom can also be gifted to Wizard, as it is one of his most loved gifts. Players should definitely make sure they pick up any Purple Mushrooms they see as they’re exploring.

2

Rainbow Shell

A Very Valuable Beach Find

The Rainbow Shell
can be found by players foraging on The Beach throughout Summer. This beautiful and valuable shell can be sold for 300-600g, depending on its quality. Players should make sure they keep an eye out for this item, as it’ll provide a big boost to their income during the Summer season.

The shell itself doesn’t have many uses outside of selling, but it can be gifted to Leo for a big friendship boost, as the Rainbow Shell is one of his loved gifts.

1

Magma Cap

An Exclusive Ginger Island Find

Players can find Magma Caps
whilst they’re exploring the Volcano Dungeon on Ginger Island. They’re incredibly rare, but their price reflects this quite generously. The base version of a Magma Cap is worth 400g, and this price goes up to 800g for the Iridium quality. It’s also pretty handy for a boost in stamina and health, providing players with 175 stamina, and 78 health. Not too bad for something just lying around.

Another handy use Magma Caps have is that players can trade them with the Island Trader for some Pineapple Seeds. Players will find Magma Caps have plenty of uses in Stardew Valley, and should try to acquire them when possible.