This Stardew Valley guide focuses on honey production, a profitable yet often overlooked artisan good. 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 (not in the Greenhouse) for honey production every 3-4 days (except winter; year-round on Ginger Island). Harvesting honey with an axe or pickaxe will drop it.
Honey Types and Flower Influence:
Without nearby flowers (within five tiles), Bee Houses produce Wild Honey (100g, 140g with Artisan profession). Nearby flowers influence honey type and value. This includes flowers in Garden Pots.
The Artisan profession (Farming Level 10) increases artisan good 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 Honey | 280g | 392g |
| Poppy Honey | 380g | 532g |
| Fairy Rose Honey | 680g | 952g |
Harvesting flowers before collecting honey reverts the honey to Wild Honey.
Honey Uses:
- Selling: Higher-value honeys are best sold directly.
- Mead: Use honey in a Keg to make Mead. Aging in a Cask increases quality and value:
- Normal: 200g (280g with Artisan)
- Silver: 250g (350g)
- Gold: 300g (420g)
- Iridium: 400g (560g) Note: 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 Artisan Bundle.
- Gifting: Liked by most villagers (except Maru and Sebastian).
Gifting Honey:
Honey and Mead are excellent gifts for improving relationships with villagers. Wild Honey is a cost-effective choice for friendship building. Mead is well-received by many, but avoid giving it to Penny, Sebastian, or children.
Remember to consider flower placement for optimal honey production and value. Happy honey harvesting!
