In 1295, Venetian explorer Marco Polo returned to Europe after his travels in Asia, bringing with him descriptions of exotic foods, including frozen milk-based desserts. His accounts sparked European interest in Asian cultures and cuisines, contributing to the exchange of ideas and goods along trade routes. Polo's travels and writings played a crucial role in shaping European perceptions of the East and influenced culinary practices in the years to come.

Marco Polo's return in 1295 with Eastern recipes ignited European fascination with the exotic, influencing travel literature and poetry. Poets like Geoffrey Chaucer incorporated elements of wonder and discovery, reflecting the cultural exchanges that shaped the Renaissance.