Honey Harvest Optimization in Stardew Valley

This Stardew Valley guide focuses on Honey production, a profitable and 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). On Ginger Island, they produce year-round. Harvesting honey with an axe or pickaxe will drop it.

Flowers and Honey Types

Nearby flowers (within five tiles, including Garden Pots) affect 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) produce Wild Honey.

Honey Uses

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

Mead

Honey in a Keg produces 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 & Bundles

Honey, Hardwood, and Fiber craft a Warp Totem: Farm (Farming Level 8). It's also needed for the Artisan Bundle (Community Center) and some Fish Pond quests.

Gifting

Honey is a Liked gift for most villagers (except Maru and Sebastian). Wild Honey is ideal for building friendships. Mead is also a good gift (avoid Penny, Sebastian, and children).

This comprehensive guide provides all the information needed to establish a successful honey operation in Stardew Valley.