This Stardew Valley guide focuses on honey production, a profitable yet often overlooked artisan 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 completing the Fall Crops Bundle or as a Prize Counter reward. Place Bee Houses outside (not in the Greenhouse) for honey production every 3-4 days (year-round on Ginger Island). They can be moved with an axe or pickaxe; any ready honey will drop.
Flowers and Honey Types
Without nearby flowers (within five tiles, including Garden Pots), Bee Houses produce Wild Honey (100g, 140g with Artisan). Nearby flowers change the honey type and value:
| Honey Type | Base Sell Price | Artisan Sell Price |
|---|---|---|
| Tulip | 160g | 224g |
| Blue Jazz | 200g | 280g |
| Sunflower | 260g | 364g |
| Summer Spangle | 280g | 392g |
| Poppy | 380g | 532g |
| Fairy Rose | 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:
-
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 value.
-
Crafting: Wild Honey, Hardwood, and Fiber craft a Warp Totem: Farm (Farming Level 8).
-
Community Center: Completes the Pantry's Artisan Bundle. Used in some 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 gifting option (avoid Penny, Sebastian, and children). This guide provides a comprehensive overview of honey production and utilization in Stardew Valley.
