This Stardew Valley guide focuses on honey production, a profitable yet often overlooked artisanal good. Updated January 9, 2025, to reflect version 1.6 updates.
Building a Bee House:
Honey is produced by bees housed in Bee Houses. Unlocked at Farming Level 3, each 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 them outdoors (not in the Greenhouse) for honey production every 3-4 days (except Winter; year-round on Ginger Island). Harvesting with an axe or pickaxe drops the honey.
Flowers and Honey Types:
Honey type and value depend on nearby flowers (within five tiles, including Garden Pots). No flowers yield Wild Honey (100g, 140g with Artisan). Flower types and prices (base/Artisan):
| 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 have other uses:
-
Mead: Place honey in a Keg to make 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: Wild Honey, Hardwood, and Fiber craft a Warp Totem: Farm (Farming Level 8).
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Community Center: Completes the Pantry's Artisan Bundle. Also used in some Fish Pond quests.
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Gifting: Most villagers like Honey (except Maru and Sebastian). Mead is also a popular gift (avoid Penny, Sebastian, and children).
