My friend told me to choose a tea caddy for my birthday. I chose this one because it is plain and simple, and because it had more compartments than some of the others. I am happy with it except for one thing. The varnish used to seal the wood stinks. Problem is, I'm afraid it is going to effect the flavor of my tea. I have been leaving the lid open for it to air out, but it has been three months and if I close it, it still stinks of varnish when I open it. I'm hoping it will eventually go away. So I can only store teabags that have their own individual wrappers, otherwise the tea might absorb the fumes of the varnish.