Stardew Valley: How To Cultivate Honey

This guide explores honey production in Stardew Valley, a surprisingly lucrative and often overlooked artisanal pursuit. While farming and animal husbandry are central, crafting artisanal goods like honey significantly boosts profits. This guide covers honey cultivation from basic Bee House construction to maximizing honey quality and value, including updates for version 1.6.

Bee House Construction:

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

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

Alternatively, a Bee House can be obtained by completing the Fall Crops Bundle or as a Prize Counter reward. Place Bee Houses outdoors (not in the Greenhouse) for honey production every 3-4 days, year-round on Ginger Island, and seasonally elsewhere (excluding winter). Harvesting honey destroys the Bee House; to relocate, use an axe or pickaxe.

Flowers and Honey Types:

Proximity to flowers dictates honey type and value. Within a five-tile radius, flowers (including those in Garden Pots) influence honey quality:

Note: The Artisan profession (Farming Level 10) increases artisan good value by 40%. Harvesting flowers before honey collection reverts the honey to Wild Honey. Wild Seed flowers yield only Wild Honey.

Honey Uses:

High-value honeys are best sold directly. Lower-value honeys can be used for crafting or gifting:

• Mead: Place honey in a Keg to create 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 value.
• Crafting: Wild Honey, Hardwood, and Fiber craft a Warp Totem: Farm (Farming Level 8).
• Gifting: Honey is a liked gift for most villagers (except Maru and Sebastian), making Wild Honey an excellent friendship booster. Mead is also popular, except with Penny, Sebastian, and children.

This comprehensive guide provides all the necessary information to establish a thriving honey operation in Stardew Valley, maximizing profits and enhancing your farming experience. Remember to consider the impact of flower placement and the Artisan profession for optimal results.