Stain vs varnish: Which one should you use?
Briefly

"You should use stain anytime you need to protect a wood surface but you don't want to cover it up with paint. Stain is commonly used to change the appearance of a particular wood..."
"The applications for stain are nearly endless, but most of the time it is used to amplify or enhance a wood product that people see often, such as flooring, bannisters, furniture and mantelpieces."
"Raw wood is a prime candidate for staining because it protects the wood, and it enhances the natural grain beauty that is already there to start with."
Read at Homebuilding & Renovating
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