Talk about piping hot, how about Diedrich Coffee (DDRX)? The company's shares have been steaming higher for quite awhile now, racing up a stunning 17,000% in the last year from about 20 cents per share at this time in 2009 to around $35 today.

Last summer, the roaster and wholesaler of fine coffees was added to the small-cap Russell 2000 Index. Making it into the Russell 2000 means many indexed ETFs and mutual funds had to put DDRX shares in their portfolio. But it's not just the inclusion of DDRX into the Russell 2000 that makes it worth pouring into your portfolio. The company then saw shares explode after a buyout battle ensued between rival coffee companies.

For millions of Americans, and indeed for millions around the globe, there's nothing like a piping hot cup of coffee to help kick-start the day. It's the beverage of choice for the hordes on Wall Street, many of whom rely on a strong cup of java to help propel them through a stressful trading day.

But Wall Street pros don't just relegate their relationship with coffee to what's inside their mugs. For many professionals, as well as for many individual investors, coffee is more about buying and selling shares of the best coffee stocks out there.

The past month has been nirvana for the shareholders of Diedrich Coffee (DDRX ), at least for those who held on. The company was the object of a fierce bidding war from Green Mountain Coffee Roasters (GMCR) and Peet's Coffee (PEET).

But today, the hostilities are over as Green Mountain finally won the battle. The company has agreed to pay $35 per share for Diedrich (the bidding started at $26). Keep in mind that -- about a year ago -- the shares were trading at 21 cents.

Diedrich Coffee (DDRX) continues to be the belle of the ball in the caffeinated beverage sector. Green Mountain Coffee Roasters (GMCR) Wednesday hiked its offer to acquire Diedrich, raising the bid from $32 per share to $35 in cash. The deal's total value now stands at $290 million.

"We are eager to start realizing the benefits of this transaction for our shareholders as quickly as possible, and therefore after careful deliberation, we determined to enhance our proposal to $35.00 per Diedrich share," explained Lawrence J. Blanford, CEO of Green Mountain Coffee.

Just about a year ago, the shares of Diedrich Coffee (DDRX) were trading around 30 cents. Since then, it's been an incredible ride as the shares have reached $33.

Over the past month, Diedrich Coffee has actually been the target of a heated buyout battle from Peet's Coffee & Tea (PEET) and Green Mountain Coffee Roaster (GMCR). In fact, Monday Peet's upped its bid to $32 or $265 million. Investors think the bidding is not over, though.

Talk about piping hot, how about Diedrich Coffee Inc. (NASDAQ: DDRX)? The company's shares have been steaming higher for quite awhile now, and recently received an extra shot of potential buyers.

On June 26, the roaster and wholesaler of fine coffees was added to the small-cap Russell 2000 Index. Making it into the Russell 2000 means many indexed ETFs and mutual funds had to put DDRX shares in their portfolio.

For millions of Americans, and indeed for millions around the globe, there's nothing like a piping hot cup of coffee to help kick start the day. It's the beverage of choice for the hordes on Wall Street, many of whom rely on a strong cup of java to help propel them through a stressful trading day.

But Wall Street pros don't just relegate their relationship with coffee to what's inside their mugs.