This Stardew Valley guide focuses on honey production, a profitable yet often overlooked artisanal good. This guide has been updated to reflect version 1.6.
Building a Bee House
Honey is produced by bees housed in Bee Houses. The recipe unlocks at Farming Level 3, requiring:
- 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 (except winter; year-round on Ginger Island). Hitting a Bee House with an axe or pickaxe moves it; ready honey drops. Bee Houses in the Greenhouse do not produce honey.
Flowers & Honey Types
Without flowers within five tiles, Bee Houses produce Wild Honey (100g, 140g with Artisan). Nearby flowers (including those in Garden Pots) change honey type and value. Harvesting the flower before honey collection reverts it to Wild Honey.
Honey is an Artisan Good; the Artisan profession (Farming Level 10) increases its value by 40%.
| Honey Type | Base Sell Price | Artisan Sell Price |
|---|---|---|
| Tulip Honey | 160g | 224g |
| Blue Jazz Honey | 200g | 280g |
| Sunflower Honey | 260g | 364g |
| Summer Spangle | 280g | 392g |
| Poppy Honey | 380g | 532g |
| Fairy Rose Honey | 680g | 952g |
Wild Seeds (Sweet Peas, Daffodils) 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: Place honey in a Keg to make Mead. Aging in a Cask improves quality and value:
- Normal: 200g (280g)
- Silver: 250g (350g)
- Gold: 300g (420g)
- Iridium: 400g (560g)
Honey type doesn't affect Mead's value; use Wild Honey for maximum profit.
Crafting & Bundles: Honey crafts Warp Totem: Farm (Farming Level 8; requires Hardwood and Fiber) and completes the Community Center's Artisan Bundle. It's also used in Fish Pond quests.
Gifting: Honey is a Liked gift for most villagers (except Maru and Sebastian). Wild Honey is ideal for friendship building. Mead is also a good gift (avoid Penny, Sebastian, and children).
This comprehensive guide ensures you maximize honey production and profit in Stardew Valley.
