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 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; any ready honey drops. Bee Houses in the Greenhouse do not produce honey.
Flowers and Honey Types
Without flowers within five tiles, Bee Houses produce Wild Honey (100g, 140g with Artisan profession). Nearby flowers (including those in Garden Pots) change honey type and value. Harvesting the flower before collecting honey reverts it to Wild Honey.
| 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 |
Wild Seeds (e.g., Sweet Peas, Daffodils) produce Wild Honey.
Honey Uses
Higher-value honeys are best sold directly. Wild Honey or cheaper varieties can be used for crafting or gifting.
Mead Production
Place honey in a Keg to make Mead. Mead quality (and price) is affected by aging in a Cask:
- Normal: 200g (280g)
- Silver: 250g (350g)
- Gold: 300g (420g)
- Iridium: 400g (560g)
Honey type doesn't affect Mead price; use Wild Honey for maximum profit.
Crafting and Bundles
Honey, Hardwood, and Fiber craft a Warp Totem: Farm (Farming Level 8). Honey completes the Community Center's Artisan Bundle and 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 gift (avoid Penny, Sebastian, and children).
