Reportable Segments (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2010
Net sales:
Total net sales	$ 1,188,883	$ 1,047,312
Segment profit:
Total segment profit	257,275	240,758
Interest income	302	433
Interest expense	(15,422)	(16,539)
Share-based compensation expense	(5,151)	(4,340)
Cost of products sold - restructuring	(9,666)	(9,453)
Cost of products sold - merger and integration	(760)	0
Other restructuring costs	(9,897)	(18,104)
Other merger and integration costs	(4,685)	(2,656)
Corporate administrative expenses	(46,413)	(41,038)
Other income - net	1,243	693
Income Before Income Taxes	166,826	149,754
Reportable Segments (Details Textuals) [Abstract]
Number of Reportable Segments	3
Number of Industries in Which Company Operates	1
U.S. Retail Coffee Market [Member]
Net sales:
Total net sales	500,109	393,570
Segment profit:
Total segment profit	139,711	111,882
U.S. Retail Consumer Foods Market [Member]
Net sales:
Total net sales	459,500	448,522
Segment profit:
Total segment profit	79,019	93,355
International, Foodservice and Natural Foods [Member]
Net sales:
Total net sales	229,274	205,220
Segment profit:
Total segment profit	38,545	35,521
Business Combination [Member]
Segment profit:
Cost of products sold - merger and integration	$ (760)	$ 0