Metabolomic understanding of the difference between unpruning and pruning cultivation of tea (Camellia sinensis) plants

•Global metabolic differences between pruned and unpruned tea plants were explored.•Metabolisms of tea plants were strongly dependent on climatic conditions in a given vintage.•Abnormal high rainfall induces distinct metabolic regulations of unpruned tea plants.•Metabolomics highlights distinct metabolic physiology of unpruned tea plants.