Trolox equivalent is a way of expressing antioxidant capacity relative to Trolox, a water-soluble synthetic analogue of vitamin E used as a reference standard. In tests such as the oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) assay, a food extract’s ability to neutralise free radicals is measured and reported as the amount of Trolox that would give the same effect — abbreviated TE. The approach allows comparison across foods: berries, spices, and dark chocolate score highly in Trolox equivalents. The numbers describe test-tube chemistry, not health outcomes — a high ORAC value does not prove a food prevents disease — but they remain a useful research shorthand for ranking the antioxidant potential of foods and ingredients.