This Stardew Valley guide focuses on honey production, a profitable yet often overlooked artisanal product. This guide is updated for version 1.6.
Bee House Construction
Honey is produced by bees housed in Bee Houses. The Bee House recipe unlocks at Farming Level 3 and requires:
- 40 Wood
- 8 Coal
- 1 Iron Bar
- 1 Maple Syrup
Bee Houses can also be obtained from the Fall Crops Bundle (Community Center) or the Mayor's Prize Counter.
Place Bee Houses outdoors (farm, forest, quarry). They produce honey every 3-4 days in all seasons except winter; year-round production occurs on Ginger Island. Harvesting honey with an axe or pickaxe will drop it. Bee Houses in the Greenhouse do not produce honey.
Flowers and Honey Types
Nearby flowers (within five tiles, including those in Garden Pots) influence honey type and value. Without flowers, Wild Honey (100g, 140g with Artisan profession) is produced.
The Artisan profession (Farming Level 10) increases Artisan goods' value by 40%. Honey prices (base and Artisan):
| Honey Type | Base Sell Price | Artisan Sell Price |
|---|---|---|
| Tulip Honey | 160g | 224g |
| Blue Jazz Honey | 200g | 280g |
| Sunflower Honey | 260g | 364g |
| Summer Spangle Honey | 280g | 392g |
| Poppy Honey | 380g | 532g |
| Fairy Rose Honey | 680g | 952g |
Harvesting flowers before honey collection reverts the honey to Wild Honey. Wild Seeds don't affect honey type.
Honey Uses
Higher-value honeys are best sold directly. Wild Honey and cheaper varieties can be used for crafting or gifting.
Mead: Honey in a Keg produces Mead. Aging in a Cask increases quality and value:
- Normal: 200g (280g)
- Silver: 250g (350g)
- Gold: 300g (420g)
- Iridium: 400g (560g)
Honey type doesn't affect Mead value; use Wild Honey for maximum profit.
Crafting: Honey, Hardwood, and Fiber craft a Warp Totem: Farm (Farming Level 8).
Bundles: Honey completes the Community Center's Artisan Bundle and appears in Fish Pond quests.
Gifting: Honey is a Liked gift for most villagers (except Maru and Sebastian). Mead is also a popular gift (avoid Penny, Sebastian, and children).
This comprehensive guide ensures you maximize your honey production and profit in Stardew Valley.
