Cultivation altitude is a comprehensive environmental factor that significantly affects tea quality. To gain a deeper understanding of the effect of cultivation altitude on tea metabolites, a widely targeted metabolomic method based on ultra-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) was used to analyze tea samples derived from three altitudes (86 m, 256 m, and 880 m) of two cultivars, ‘Mingke 1’ (MK) and ‘Fuyun 6’ (FY). The results showed that distinct groups of tea samples from different altitudes and cultivars were observed based on PCA. A total of 64 and 56 altitude-related differential metabolites were identified in MK and FY, respectively. Among them, 16 compounds were consistent in both cultivars and were clustered in the metabolic pathways for flavonoid (11 compounds), amino acid (3), and fatty acid (2). The content of all flavonoids and one amino acid (L-aspartic acid) gradually decreased with increasing altitude; on the contrary, the others showed an opposite trend. Furthermore, we identified 57 differential metabolites between two cultivars. Two specific compounds (8-C-hexosyl chrysoeriol O-hexoside and pelargonidin 3-O-β-D-glucoside) were exclusively found in MK, while one compound (4-hydroxybenzoic acid) was present only in FY. These findings offer insight into the metabolic responses of tea plants to different altitudes, providing further understanding on the influence of the environment on tea plants.

Tea, derived from the evergreen shrub Camellia sinensis (L.) O. Kuntze, is one of the most widely consumed beverages globally, playing a significant socioeconomic role in many tropical and subtropical regions. However, tea cultivation is increasingly threatened by climate change, which is affecting growth, yield, and quality. This review explores the current status and prospects of tea plants' responses to climate change. The present study outlines the direct and indirect impacts of climate change including rising temperatures, altered precipitation patterns, and a rise in pest and disease outbreaks, on tea growing regions and tea production. The current study discusses the physiological and biochemical responses of tea plants to climate stressors including temperature stress, water stress and elevated CO 2 levels. It also explores the key adaptive strategies employed by tea farmers, including agricultural practices, breeding and genetic improvement, and pest and disease management. Additionally, the review highlights breeding efforts to develop climate-resilient tea cultivars and the role of traditional and biotechnological approaches in tea plant breeding and genetic improvement. Innovations to mitigate climate impacts on tea plantations such as assessing tea's long-term response to climate change and enhancing tolerance to combined stress conditions are briefly outlined. While progress has been made, significant research gaps remain in understanding the long-term responses of tea plants to climate stressors. Future efforts should focus on continued research, innovation, and collaboration to ensure the sustainability of tea production in a changing climate.