This Stardew Valley guide delves into the often-overlooked, yet highly profitable, world of honey production. While farming and animal husbandry are key, crafting artisanal goods like honey offers a significant boost to your in-game economy. This updated guide (January 9, 2025) covers everything from building bee houses to maximizing honey profits, incorporating the latest updates from version 1.6.
Bee House Construction
Honey production begins with the Bee House. Unlocked at Farming Level 3, it requires:
- 40 Wood
- 8 Coal
- 1 Iron Bar
- 1 Maple Syrup
Alternatively, you can obtain a Bee House by completing the Fall Crops Bundle in the Community Center or as a Prize Counter reward. Place your Bee House anywhere outdoors (excluding the Greenhouse); it produces honey every 3-4 days in all seasons except winter. Ginger Island offers year-round production. Moving a Bee House (using an axe or pickaxe) will drop any harvested honey.
Flowers and Honey Varieties
Proximity to flowers dictates honey type and value. Without flowers within five tiles, you'll get Wild Honey (100g, 140g with Artisan profession). Nearby flowers (including those in Garden Pots) enhance honey quality and price:
| 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 |
Remember: harvesting flowers before collecting honey reverts the yield to Wild Honey.
Flowers from Wild Seeds (e.g., Sweet Peas, Daffodils) produce only Wild Honey.
Honey Applications
High-value honey is best sold directly. Wild Honey and less expensive varieties find use in crafting and gifting:
Mead Production: Use a Keg to transform honey into 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; Wild Honey maximizes profit.
Crafting: Combine honey with Hardwood and Fiber to craft a Warp Totem: Farm (Farming Level 8).
Gifting: Honey is a well-liked gift for most villagers (except Maru and Sebastian), making Wild Honey an ideal friendship-building tool. Mead is also a popular gift (avoid Penny, Sebastian, and children).
This comprehensive guide empowers you to harness the sweet potential of honey in Stardew Valley, transforming your farm into a buzzing hive of prosperity.
