-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
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,
 TQd9MR5QwnXPOZUGZK0J7ACjDSvzvlAnPXmdJ5i2d+WJ1Jfwm+MWIOtbkVICVuhr
 ZJhJY4mIqxW/T751lNd+Jg==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001179110-04-009504.txt : 20040504
<SEC-HEADER>0001179110-04-009504.hdr.sgml : 20040504
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040504122323
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001179110-04-009504
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040426
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040504

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			MCCARTHY SEAN MARTIN
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001289065

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-21203
		FILM NUMBER:		04776370

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		949-260-6762

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		28 EXECUTIVE PARK, STE 200
		CITY:			IRVINE
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			92614

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>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 3 -
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-04-26</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000947661</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>DIEDRICH COFFEE INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>DDRX</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001289065</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>MCCARTHY SEAN MARTIN</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>28 EXECUTIVE PARK, STE 200</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>IRVINE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>92714</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Vice President Controller</officerTitle>
            <otherText></otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>No securities owned</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>0</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Employee Stock Option (right to buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>3.686</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2014-04-26</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>20000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">The options will become exercisable in three equal installments on each of the three anniversary dates of April 26, 2004.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Sean Martin McCarthy</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-05-03</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

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