Characterisation of volatile and non-volatile metabolites in etiolated leaves of tea (Camellia sinensis) plants in the dark

► Dark treatment increased volatile phenylpropanoids/benzenoid (VPB) levels in tea leaves. ► The phosphate metabolites, shikimic, prephenic, and phenylpyruvic acids, deceased in dark treated leaves. ► Levels of amino acids including l-phenylalanine, a precursor of VPB, increased in dark treated leaves. ► Dark treated and untreated leaves differed in their volatile and non-volatile metabolite profiles.