Stardew Valley 1.6s Most Useful Item Is An Inedible Food

The best new item introduced by Stardew Valley's 1.6 update is a food item players can't actually eat. Now available on all platforms, version 1.6 (technically 1.6.9) represents one of the most expansive updates to Stardew Valley yet. With new crops, new farm types, and, most importantly, new items, even players with hundreds of hours in the game have found tons to explore since the most recent updates.

But amid all the new content in version 1.6 and 1.6.9, one item stands out. It's a food item, or more accurately, a drink, but the player can't actually drink it. However, its uses go above and beyond mere consumption, and can actually be one of the most useful items in the valley, depending on how players use it.

You Can’t Actually Drink Stardrop Tea

But It's Far From Useless

Unfortunately, players can't actually drink the new Stardrop Tea introduced in version 1.6; if they try to use it as they would any other food item, absolutely nothing will happen. This sets it apart from a similar item, the plain old Stardrop. Each Stardrop fully restores the player's energy, and permanently increases their maximum energy by 34 points. However, the player can't choose when they use it - each Stardrop is automatically consumed upon obtainment.

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Stardrops are exceptionally rare by design. Most players find their first one at the Stardew Valley Fair, where they can purchase one for 2,000 Star Tokens. They'll get a second when they hit the 100th floor of the mines, and a third when they hit 12.5 hearts with their spouse. They can find a fourth by offering Old Master Cannoli's statue in the Lost Woods a Sweet Gem Berry, and a fifth by donating 95 items to the museum. Willy will give them their sixth when they reach Master Angler, while Krobus will give them a seventh for 20,000g.

Suffice it to say that Stardrops are deliberately rare to prevent players from gaining enough max energy to become overpowered, allowing them to complete more tasks than should be possible in a day without having to pause for food. Players may hope for Stardrop Tea to have a similar effect, perhaps with players even able to time its energy restoration by choosing when and where they drink it. But unfortunately, it can't even be consumed - so what is it good for?

Stardrop Tea Makes The Perfect Gift

A High Heart Increase

Custom image by Debanjana Chowdhury.

The only thing Stardrop Tea is actually good for is gifting - but thankfully, it's about as good as it gets at that. Stardrop Tea is one of only three true universally loved gifts in Stardew Valley. Other universal loves have at least one exception, like how Haley doesn't like Prismatic Shards, or Penny hates Rabbit's Feet. Stardrop Tea is somewhat unique in that every single villager loves it, with absolutely no exceptions.

In addition, Stardrop Tea actually grants the player more of a heart increase with villagers than an average loved gift. Most loved gifts give 80 friendship points - a little less than a third of a heart. However, Stardrop Tea increases the receiver's friendship progress by a whopping 250 points. That's a full heart, making Stardrop Tea an impossibly quick way to increase the farmer's relationship progress.

But don't just go giving out Stardrop Tea willy-nilly - timing the gift can lead to an even greater heart increase. If the player gives another character Stardrop Tea on their birthday, or as their Feast of the Winter Star gift, they'll get 750 friendship points - three whole hearts from a single gift. And besides that, Stardrop Tea doesn't count towards the daily or weekly limit on gifts, so players can pair it with other loved gifts to create the maximum relationship impact in a short period of time.

How To Get Stardrop Tea

Where To Find 1.6's Best New Item

Much like regular Stardrops, Stardrop Tea is deliberately limited in quantity so that players can't abuse its powers. One can be found semi-reliably in the Prize Machine at Mayor Lewis' house, but only when the player reaches that phase of the prize wheel. Certain Raccoon Requests after the fifth one reward Stardrop Tea, but that's random, and can't be planned. There's also one as a reward for finishing the Helper's Bundle, but that takes a while to get to.

So, as useful as Stardrop Tea can be, it's hard to come by. As a result, players have to make the most of it when they do come by a cup. Still, its rarity doesn't make it any less useful, and it's still one of the best items in Stardew Valley 1.6.

Stardew Valley is a charming indie farming scene that took the world by storm. After inheriting a run-down farm from their grandfather, the player moves to Stardew Valley to start a new life away from the city. Grow crops, raise animals, befriend the villagers, and discover the secrets the valley has to offer.

Platform(s) PC , Xbox One , Android , iOS , PS4 , Switch

Released February 26, 2016

Developer(s) ConcernedApe

Publisher(s) ConcernedApe

Multiplayer Local Multiplayer , Online Multiplayer

Engine Proprietary

ESRB E for Everyone (Fantasy Violence, Mild Blood, Mild Language, Simulated Gambling, Use of Alcohol and Tobacco)

How Long To Beat 53 Hours

X|S Optimized No

File Size Xbox Series 1 GB (November 2023)

Metascore 89

Split Screen Orientation Vertical or Horizontal

Number of Players 1-4