Matcha Antioxidant ORAC Score Comparison
Matcha scores ~1,384 μmol Trolox equivalents per gram on the ORAC antioxidant assay — approximately 100× higher than blueberries (9.5 μmol TE/g) and 90× higher than spinach (12.6 μmol TE/g), largely due to its concentrated catechin content.
| Measure | Value | Unit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Matcha ORAC score | ~1,384 | μmol TE/g | Per gram of powder; varies by grade and producer |
| Blueberries ORAC score | ~9.5 | μmol TE/g | Per gram fresh weight |
| Acai berry ORAC score | ~15.4 | μmol TE/g | Per gram freeze-dried powder |
| Spinach ORAC score | ~12.6 | μmol TE/g | Per gram fresh weight |
| Dark chocolate ORAC score | ~40 | μmol TE/g | Per gram; 70% cacao |
| Matcha ORAC advantage over blueberries | ~145× | Per gram mass comparison |
The Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) assay measures a food’s in-vitro antioxidant capacity — its ability to neutralize free radicals under controlled conditions. Matcha ranks among the highest-scoring foods ever tested, largely because its EGCG and total catechin content are extraordinarily concentrated in powdered form.
ORAC Methodology and Caveats
ORAC is a useful comparative benchmark but has important limitations. The assay measures antioxidant capacity in a test tube, not in the human body. In vivo antioxidant effects depend heavily on:
- Bioavailability: How much EGCG actually absorbs into circulation
- Metabolism: Gut bacteria extensively modify polyphenols before they reach systemic circulation
- Baseline: Antioxidant capacity of the body is tightly regulated; large oral doses don’t necessarily increase plasma antioxidant capacity proportionally
The FDA removed ORAC from its food database in 2012, noting that “ORAC values are routinely misused by food and dietary supplement manufacturing companies to promote their products.” With that context, the ORAC comparison is useful for relative ranking but should not be interpreted as a direct measure of health benefit.
Why Matcha Scores So High
Matcha scores ~1,384 μmol TE/g vs. blueberries at ~9.5 μmol TE/g. The difference has three causes:
- Concentrated catechins: Matcha delivers 270–350mg of catechins per 2g serving
- Powdered form: Per-gram comparisons favor powders over fresh foods; a gram of blueberry is mostly water
- Whole leaf: No catechins are lost in discarded leaf sediment
Practical Serving Comparisons
Per serving (2g matcha ≈ 1 small bowl), matcha delivers more total catechins than ~4kg of fresh blueberries. This does not mean matcha has proportionally greater health benefits — bioavailability, absorption rate, and metabolic fate all differ — but it does make matcha a uniquely dense delivery vehicle for polyphenols.