Stardew Valley: How To Cultivate Honey

This guide explores the profitable and versatile nature of honey production in Stardew Valley. While often overlooked, honey offers a significant opportunity for players to diversify their income and beautify their farms. This guide covers everything from building bee houses to maximizing honey production and utilization, updated for version 1.6.

Bee House Construction

Honey production begins with the Bee House, unlocked at Farming Level 3. One Bee House requires:

• 40 Wood
• 8 Coal
• 1 Iron Bar
• 1 Maple Syrup

Bee Houses can also be obtained by completing the Fall Crops Bundle or as a prize from the Mayor's Prize Counter. Place Bee Houses outdoors (not in the Greenhouse) to produce honey every 3-4 days in all seasons except Winter (year-round on Ginger Island). Harvesting a Bee House with an axe or pickaxe will drop any ready honey.

Honey Types and Flower Influence

The type of honey produced depends on nearby flowers (within five tiles, including those in Garden Pots). No flowers result in Wild Honey (100g, 140g with Artisan). Different flowers yield different honey types and values:

(Note: Harvesting flowers before honey collection reverts the honey to Wild Honey.) Flowers from Wild Seeds produce only Wild Honey.

Honey Uses

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

Mead Production: Place honey in a Keg to produce Mead. Aging in a Cask improves quality and value:

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

(Mead quality isn't affected by honey type, making Wild Honey the most cost-effective option.)

Crafting: Honey, Hardwood, and Fiber craft a Warp Totem: Farm (Farming Level 8).

Community Center: Honey completes the Artisan Bundle.

Gifting: Honey is a liked gift for most villagers (except Maru and Sebastian). Mead is also popular, but avoid giving it to children, Penny, or Sebastian.

This comprehensive guide empowers players to establish a thriving honey operation in Stardew Valley, maximizing profits and enhancing their overall gameplay experience.