When players first arrive on Ginger Island in Stardew Valley’s 1.5 update, they discover a new world of tropical farming, hidden puzzles, and mysterious NPCs. Among them is a peculiar creature known as the Gourmand Frog, who resides in a cave tucked away on the island’s western farm. This oversized amphibian speaks in riddles, longing to see crops from the island’s glory days. Helping him is not only part of the island’s lore but also a great way to earn Golden Walnuts.
How to Reach the Frog Hidden Cave on Ginger Island
Before meeting the frog, players must unlock Ginger Island West and restore the farmhouse.
Step 1: Move the Giant Turtle
The path to the western farm is blocked by a sleeping turtle. To move it, collect 10 Golden Walnuts and give them to the nearby parrot. The bird will awaken the turtle and clear the way.
Step 2: Restore the Farmhouse
Next, use 20 additional Golden Walnuts to rebuild the farmhouse on the island farm. This not only unlocks the farm’s full functionality but also reveals a small cave in the upper-right corner. Inside waits the Gourmand Frog, ready to give his nostalgic requests.
Meeting the Gourmand Frog
Upon entering the cave, the frog expresses how the island once overflowed with delicious crops. However, he doesn’t name what he wants directly. Instead, he describes them using vivid imagery, requiring players to deduce the correct plants.
He’ll ask for three crops in sequence, and each time you fulfill one, he rewards you with five Golden Walnuts. After all three requests, you’ll earn a total of 15 Golden Walnuts — a solid return for a simple farming challenge.
What the Frog Wants to See
The Gourmand Frog’s requests always follow the same order:
1. “A round, pink, and juicy thing.”
- Grow: Melons
- How to Get Seeds: Buy Melon Seeds from Pierre’s for 80g or from JojaMart for 100g, or receive nine seeds from Gunther after donating 12 items to the museum.
- Growth Time: 12 days (or as few as 8 with Hyper Speed-Gro).
Tip: A single ripe melon will satisfy him, though you can plant a 3×3 patch for a chance at a giant crop.
2. “A long, yellow, tickling thing that waves in the wind.”
- Grow: Wheat
- How to Get Seeds: Available at Pierre’s (10g) or JojaMart (12g) during summer and fall.
- Growth Time: 4 days (3 with Hyper Speed-Gro).
Tip: Harvest with a scythe; only fully grown wheat counts for the quest.
3. “A zesty ground fruit that maketh the breath stink.”
- Grow: Garlic
- How to Get Seeds: Sold at Pierre’s for 40g starting in Year 2, Spring.
- Growth Time: 4 days (3 with Hyper Speed-Gro).
Tip: Garlic can’t be bought in Year 1, but by the time most players reach Ginger Island, this limitation rarely matters.
You can grow all three crops simultaneously, but you’ll need to return to the frog after each stage to trigger the next request.
Don’t Harvest Too Soon
The Gourmand Frog doesn’t want the crops themselves; he wants to see them growing in their “natural state.”
When a crop is fully grown, do not harvest it yet. Instead, visit the frog and select “Yes” when he asks if you have something to show him. A short cutscene will play where he admires the crop, reminisces about his youth, and grants your reward. Afterward, you’re free to harvest it normally.
Pro Tips to Farm Efficiently on Ginger Island
Because any crop can grow year-round on Ginger Island, players don’t need to worry about seasons. This makes the frog’s quest straightforward—simply plant, wait, and return to his cave at the right times.
A few tips to make it even smoother:
- Use Hyper Speed-Gro or the Tiller profession for faster growth.
- Stock up on seeds before heading to the island since Pierre and JojaMart aren’t available there.
- Plant all three crops together, so you can complete the entire quest chain without extra trips back to Pelican Town.
All Rewards from the Gourmand Frog in Stardew Valley
For each crop he admires, the Gourmand Frog gives five Golden Walnuts, totaling 15 walnuts by the end. These can be used for upgrades like:
- Unlocking new areas via parrots.
- Funding the Island Farmhouse or Parrot Express.
- Progressing toward access to Qi’s Walnut Room after collecting 100 walnuts.
It’s a quick, rewarding task that fits seamlessly into the island’s exploration flow. Play Now!
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