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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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 lL0/mx61CJeiIKflB++YCw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001181431-04-058066.txt : 20041210
<SEC-HEADER>0001181431-04-058066.hdr.sgml : 20041210
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20041210175358
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001181431-04-058066
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20041206
FILED AS OF DATE:		20041210
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20041210

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:			0630

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		28 EXECUTIVE PARK
		STREET 2:		SUITE 200
		CITY:			IRVINE
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			92614
		BUSINESS PHONE:		9492601600

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		28 EXECUTIVE PARK
		STREET 2:		SUITE 200
		CITY:			IRVINE
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			92614

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:		041197403

	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
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>rrd61003.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 4
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-12-06</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>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Employee Stock Option (right to buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>4.645</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-12-06</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>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2014-12-06</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>15000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>33750</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">The options will become exerciseable upon the earlies of (a) the first anniversary of the grant date or (b) immediately prior to thr annual meeting of stockhoklders of the Company next following the grant date.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Richard Spencer</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-12-10</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

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