It is a dark brown, very dense bread made with maize and rye flours, with a distinctive and intense bittersweet flavour.

[citation needed] Broa has been produced in Avintes since the 13th century, when King Dinis of Portugal awarded the village with the exclusive right of production and supply to the population in Porto.

[5] Connected to its production are many so-called "secrets" which, real or not, lay in the certitudes and knowledge gained from experience of many generations of Avintes' bakers as well as the judicious choice of materials used.

There were also some superstitions related to its mixing and baking, involving prayers and blessings, as indeed in the rest of Portugal when making bread in the old fashioned ways.

It is also used as the basis for multiple meal starters, for example with presunto (cured ham) and with traditional Portuguese "caldo verde" or "green broth".