-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 GQ/H8BwILpLKyjw/jHvyHtG/d8GRUDuvpidyscb47q3NCX56S8rCAj0TD5e8zNaD
 q+cf6Sqlw8sh9h22/+t23A==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001179110-03-011939.txt : 20031204
<SEC-HEADER>0001179110-03-011939.hdr.sgml : 20031204
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20031204201625
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001179110-03-011939
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20031202
FILED AS OF DATE:		20031204

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

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			HEESCHEN PAUL C
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001038518

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-21203
		FILM NUMBER:		031038907

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		450 NEWPORT CENTER DRIVE
		STREET 2:		SUITE 450
		CITY:			NEWPORT BEACH
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			92660
		BUSINESS PHONE:		7146441850

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		450 NEWPORT CENTER DRIVE
		STREET 2:		STE 450
		CITY:			NEWPORT BEACH
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			92660
</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>0001038518</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>HEESCHEN PAUL C</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>28 EXECUTIVE PARK</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>SUITE 200</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>IRVINE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>92614</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
<isDirector>1</isDirector>
<isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
<isTenPercentOwner>1</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>30000</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/ Paul Heeschen</signatureName>
<signatureDate>2003-12-04</signatureDate>
</ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

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