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. 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); they produce honey every 3-4 days (except Winter). Ginger Island production is year-round. Harvesting honey with an axe or pickaxe will drop it.

Flowers and Honey Types

Nearby flowers (within five tiles, including Garden Pots) influence honey type and value. Without flowers, Wild Honey (100g, 140g with Artisan profession) is produced. The Artisan profession (Farming Level 10) increases all artisan goods by 40%.

Harvesting flowers before honey collection reverts the honey to Wild Honey.

Flowers from Wild Seeds (e.g., Sweet Peas, Daffodils) yield Wild Honey.

Honey Uses

Higher-value honeys are best sold directly. Wild Honey and others can be used for crafting or gifting.

Mead

Honey in a Keg produces Mead. Aging in a Cask improves quality and value:

• Normal: 200g (280g with Artisan)
• Silver: 250g (350g)
• Gold: 300g (420g)
• Iridium: 400g (560g)

Honey type doesn't affect Mead value; use Wild Honey for maximum profit.

Crafting and Bundles

Honey is used to craft a Warp Totem: Farm (Farming Level 8) with Hardwood and Fiber, and is required for the Community Center's Artisan Bundle. It's also 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 gift (avoid Penny, Sebastian, and children).