Sourdough bread baking, often perceived as a time-consuming endeavor, can be integrated into busy lifestyles with just about an hour of active preparation per loaf, according to Kate Freebairn, author of the forthcoming cookbook "Easy Sourdough on Any Schedule."

Freebairn, a recipe developer based in Western Australia, aims to dispel the common misconception that making sourdough requires constant attention over several days. She emphasizes that while a loaf might take up to three days to complete from start to finish, the actual time spent handling the dough is significantly less.

"I think that people think that sourdough is really difficult and that it takes a lot of time, but really, even though a loaf of sourdough might take three days to complete, the actual time that you'll have your hands in the dough might only be an hour," Freebairn stated.

Her approach focuses on fitting baking into existing daily commitments rather than rearranging life around the bread. For individuals with typical weekday jobs, Freebairn suggests feeding the sourdough starter the night before. The dough can then be mixed during a morning coffee break and tended to while children eat breakfast. The dough can ferment throughout the workday, allowing for shaping and refrigeration in the evening.

"The next morning, you can wake up, pop the oven on, make your coffee and bake a fresh loaf of sourdough," Freebairn explained. "So, the actual time that you have your hands in the dough is very minimal."

Beyond convenience, Freebairn also highlights potential health advantages associated with sourdough. Due to its natural fermentation process, the microbes in the starter begin breaking down components of the flour. This, she notes, can lead to sourdough not spiking blood sugar as sharply as other breads and provides prebiotics beneficial for gut health.

Freebairn also believes sourdough simply tastes better. She adds that specialized equipment is not necessary for beginners, with common household items like a jar for the starter and a bowl for proofing sufficing. She herself uses an affordable Dutch oven for baking.

For those new to sourdough, Freebairn advises patience, suggesting that it may take five to 10 attempts to achieve consistently good results. "There's a lesson in every loaf," she said.

"Easy Sourdough on Any Schedule" is set to be released in September.