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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 QeGB0FHbtnTDJz8jWejrdlzrxVVL2Lr3lO007k3CkzcNRGjBfxyqYlNJt+aQZEow
 pucL7GvZkV1FBeTq1a+zTA==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001179110-03-011938.txt : 20031204
<SEC-HEADER>0001179110-03-011938.hdr.sgml : 20031204
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20031204201439
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001179110-03-011938
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20031202
FILED AS OF DATE:		20031204

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			SPENCER RICHARD S III
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001235465

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-21203
		FILM NUMBER:		031038906

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		200 EVENTH AVENUE STE 105
		CITY:			SANTA CRUZ
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			95062

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		200 SEVENTH AVENUE STE 105
		CITY:			SANTA CRUZ
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			95062

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			DIEDRICH COFFEE INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000947661
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	RETAIL-FOOD STORES [5400]
		IRS NUMBER:				330086628
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			CA
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0127

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2144 MICHELSON DRIVE
		STREET 2:		STE A
		CITY:			IRVINE
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			9262682612
		BUSINESS PHONE:		9492601600

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2144 MICHELSON DRIVE
		CITY:			IRVINE
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			92612
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 4 -
<TEXT>
<XML>
<ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>
<periodOfReport>2003-12-02</periodOfReport>
<notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>
    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000947661</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>DIEDRICH COFFEE INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>DDRX</issuerTradingSymbol>
</issuer>
<reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001235465</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>SPENCER RICHARD S III</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>200 SEVENTH AVENUE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>SUITE 105</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>SANTA CRUZ</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>95602</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
<isDirector>1</isDirector>
<isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
<isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
<isOther>0</isOther>
<officerTitle></officerTitle>
<otherText></otherText>
</reportingOwnerRelationship>
</reportingOwner>
<nonDerivativeTable></nonDerivativeTable>
<derivativeTable><derivativeTransaction><securityTitle><value>Employee Stock Option (right to buy)</value>
</securityTitle>
<conversionOrExercisePrice><value>3.74</value>
</conversionOrExercisePrice>
<transactionDate><value>2003-12-02</value>
</transactionDate>
<transactionCoding><transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
<transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
<equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
</transactionCoding>
<transactionAmounts><transactionShares><value>15000</value>
</transactionShares>
<transactionPricePerShare><value>0</value>
</transactionPricePerShare>
<transactionAcquiredDisposedCode><value>A</value>
</transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
</transactionAmounts>
<exerciseDate><footnoteId id="F1"></footnoteId>
</exerciseDate>
<expirationDate><value>2013-12-02</value>
</expirationDate>
<underlyingSecurity><underlyingSecurityTitle><value>Common Stock</value>
</underlyingSecurityTitle>
<underlyingSecurityShares><value>15000</value>
</underlyingSecurityShares>
</underlyingSecurity>
<postTransactionAmounts><sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction><value>18750</value>
</sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
</postTransactionAmounts>
<ownershipNature><directOrIndirectOwnership><value>D</value>
</directOrIndirectOwnership>
</ownershipNature>
</derivativeTransaction>
</derivativeTable>
<footnotes><footnote id="F1">The options will become exercisable upon the earlier of (a) the first anniversary of the grant date or (b) immediately prior to the annual meeting of stockholders of the Company next following the grant date.</footnote>
</footnotes>
<ownerSignature><signatureName>/s/ Richard Spencer</signatureName>
<signatureDate>2003-12-04</signatureDate>
</ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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