Formation of 8-hydroxylinalool in tea plant Camellia sinensis var. Assamica ‘Hainan dayezhong’

•8-Hydroxylinalool was one of major linalool derivates in Camellia sinensis var. assamica ‘Hainan dayezhong’ with seasonal variation of content.•Among different tissues, the highest content of 8-hydroxylinalool was detected in buds.•CsCYP76B1 and CsCYP76T1, located in endoplasmic reticulum, catalyze the formation of 8-hydroxylinalool from linalool.•The increased synthetic gene expression level and accumulated precursor linalool content, both of which were induced by JA, enhanced de novo 8-hydroxylinalool biosynthesis and stimulated its accumulation during withering stage of black tea manufacturing process.