-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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 6szEQrSs5G9AHcFlYGQcsw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001181431-08-067596.txt : 20081216
<SEC-HEADER>0001181431-08-067596.hdr.sgml : 20081216
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20081216134034
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001181431-08-067596
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20081210
FILED AS OF DATE:		20081216
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20081216

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:			0627

	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:			MCCARTHY SEAN MARTIN
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001289065

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-21203
		FILM NUMBER:		081251928

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		949-260-6762

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		28 EXECUTIVE PARK, STE 200
		CITY:			IRVINE
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			92614
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>rrd226200.xml
<DESCRIPTION>STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF SECURITIES
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2008-12-10</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <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, SUITE 200</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>IRVINE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>92614</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Chief Financial Officer</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2008-12-10</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>P</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>3500</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0.73</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>5000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Sean M. McCarthy</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-12-11</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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